#259 Respiratory Failure Types 1–4 Explained | Hypoxemic vs Hypercapnic Made Simple

WhiteBoard Medicine - Emergency And Critical Care · May 6, 2026 · 31m

Respiratory failure is one of the most common and high-stakes problems in emergency and critical care medicine — but understanding the different types can be confusing. In this episode, we break down Type 1–4 respiratory failure into a simple, structured framework you can actually use at the bedside. We focus on the key distinction between hypoxemic vs hypercapnic respiratory failure, how to interpret ABGs, and how to recognize the underlying physiology driving each type. Whether you're a medical student, resident, nurse, respiratory therapist, or practicing clinician, this episode is…