Which of the following can cause respiratory failure?

Aspiration of stomach contents can lead to respiratory failure because it can cause chemical pneumonia or obstructive atelectasis. When food or liquid is inhaled into the lungs, it can provoke an inflammatory response that impairs gas exchange, leading to difficulty breathing, reduced oxygen levels, and potentially complete respiratory failure. Additionally, the introduction of stomach contents can cause blockages in the airways or contribute to bacterial infections, further exacerbating respiratory issues.

While chronic fatigue syndrome, low protein diets, and obesity can influence overall health and may contribute to respiratory problems in some cases, they do not directly cause respiratory failure in the same immediate manner as aspiration does. Chronic fatigue syndrome involves fatigue and is not primarily a respiratory issue, low protein diets generally lead to malnutrition symptoms over time, but are not typically associated with immediate respiratory failure, and obesity can affect respiratory function but often leads to complications gradually rather than acutely.