Oxygen Flashcards
Oxygen presentation
gas in a compressed cylinder, also available in a liquid form. It is fed via a regulator and flow meter to the patient using plastic tubing and an oxygen mask/nasal cannulae
Oxygen indications
Children: significant illness or injury
Adults: critical illness, serious illness, COPD
Oxygen actions
Essential for cell metabolism, oxygenation is required for normal physiological function.
Oxygen helps in reversing hypoxia by raising the concentration of inspired oxygen
If ventilation is inadequate or absent, assisting or completely taking over the patient’s ventilation is essential to reverse hypoxia
oxygen contraindications
explosive environments
oxygen cautions
increases fire hazards
defibrillation - ensure pads are firmly applied to reduce spark hazard
oxygen side effects
non humidified oxygen is drying and irritating to mucous membranes
in patients with COPD there is a risk of increased carbon dioxide levels
Oxygen dosage for children
high levels of supplementary oxygen
Conditions where a high dose of oxygen would be given to an adult
cardiac arrest, carbon monoxide poisoning, major trauma, anaphylaxis, sepsis, shock, drowning, convulsion, hypothermia
Conditions where a moderate dose of oxygen would be given to an adult
hypoxaemia, acute asthma, acute heart failure, pneumonia, lung cancer, pulmonary embolism, postoperative breathlessness, pleural effusions, pneumothorax, severe anaemia, sickle cell crisis
For moderate doses of oxygen, what rate would you use if oxygen sats are less than 85%
10-15L/min
For moderate doses of oxygen what rate would you use if oxygen sats are between 85-93%
2-6L/min
What conditions would you use low dose oxygen for?
COPD, exacerbation of cystic fibrosis, chronic neuromuscular disorders, chest wall disorders, morbid obesity
What should the initial dose of low dose oxygen be?
4L/min
