carbon dioxide narcosis

carbon dioxide (CO₂) narcosis,

a condition of confusion, tremors, convulsions, and possible coma that may occur if blood levels of carbon dioxide increase to 70 mm Hg or higher. Individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can have CO₂ narcosis without these symptoms because they develop a tolerance to elevated CO₂. When ventilation is sufficient to maintain a normal oxygen partial pressure in the arteries, the carbon dioxide partial pressure is generally near 40 mm Hg. See also carbon dioxide poisoning.

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narcosis [nahr-ko´sis]

a reversible state of central nervous system depression induced by a drug.

basal narcosis narcosis with complete unconsciousness, amnesia, and analgesia.

carbon dioxide narcosis respiratory acidosis.

nitrogen narcosis a state resembling drunkenness, with euphoria and disorientation, seen in divers below about 30 meters (100 feet) who are breathing compressed air, because of the high nitrogen content of air; some of the nitrogen enters the bloodstream and acts as a narcotic.

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carbon dioxide

an odorless, colorless gas, CO₂, resulting from oxidation of carbons, formed in the tissues and eliminated by the lungs; used with oxygen to stimulate respiration and in solid form (carbon dioxide snow—see below) as an escharotic, as a gas to euthanize laboratory rabbits and rodents.

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carbon dioxide anesthesia

exposure of pigs for 45 seconds in a mixture of 60 to 70% CO₂ in air is an adequate pre-slaughter anesthetic for pigs.

carbon dioxide combining power

the ability of blood plasma to combine with carbon dioxide; indicative of the alkali reserve and a measure of the acid-base balance of the blood.

carbon dioxide content

the amount of carbonic acid and bicarbonate in the blood; reported in millimoles per liter.

carbon dioxide dissociation curve

a graph demonstrating the relationship between the blood content of CO₂ and the Pco₂.

carbon dioxide narcosis

respiratory acidosis.

carbon dioxide snow

solid carbon dioxide, formed by rapid evaporation of liquid carbon dioxide; it gives a temperature of about −110°F (−79°C), and is used as an escharotic in various skin diseases. Called also dry ice.

carbon dioxide tension

the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood; noted as Pco₂ in blood gas analysis. See also respiration.

carbon dioxide transport

carbon dioxide passes from tissues to blood by diffusion, in the blood by solution and via reactions within plasma and erythrocytes, from blood to pulmonary alveoli by diffusion.