In simple words: This code signifies a long-term breathing problem where the lungs struggle to get enough oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide, sometimes getting suddenly worse.

Acute and chronic respiratory failure is a condition characterized by the lungs' inability to adequately oxygenate the blood or remove carbon dioxide, persisting over an extended period and exacerbated by acute episodes.

Example 1: A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experiences an acute exacerbation, leading to worsening respiratory distress and requiring hospitalization for respiratory support., A patient with cystic fibrosis develops pneumonia, resulting in acute respiratory failure superimposed on their chronic respiratory insufficiency., A patient with neuromuscular disease experiences progressive weakening of respiratory muscles, developing chronic respiratory failure that requires long-term ventilatory assistance.

Documentation should specify the acuity (acute, chronic, or acute on chronic), the presence of hypoxia or hypercapnia, underlying conditions, treatment provided (e.g., oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation), and the patient's response to treatment.

** Excludes1: acute respiratory distress syndrome (J80), cardiorespiratory failure (R09.2), newborn respiratory distress syndrome (P22.0), postprocedural respiratory failure (J95.82-), respiratory arrest (R09.2), respiratory arrest of newborn (P28.81), respiratory failure of newborn (P28.5).