Oxygen Nasal

Question 1

PPE

Answer 1

Disposable gloves and face mask

Question 2

Indications

Answer 2

Patients with serious illness requiring moderate supplemental oxygen

Hypoxaemic patients with oxygen saturations 85-93%

Medical conditions requiring low dose oxygen, COPD

Question 3

Contraindications

Answer 3

Explosive environments

Question 4

Cautions

Answer 4

Increased fire hazard risk

Spark hazard during defibullaton if pads are not fully applied

Paraquat or bleomycin poisoning

Question 5

Assess oxygen requirements

Answer 5

Assess respiratory status and pulse oximetry to determine appropriate mask and flow rate

Question 6

Prepare patient

Answer 6

Explain the procedure and gain consent

Oxygen can be administered in any position

Patients with difficulty breathing should be sat upright where possible

Question 7

Prepare equipment

Answer 7

Unpack nasal cannula

Question 8

Apply nasal cannula

Answer 8

Loop tubing around the ears

Insert prongs into each nostril
Push the plastic clip up the tubing to tighten the cannula in place

Confirm the cannula is comfortable and evenly in each nostril

Question 9

Reassess

Answer 9

Assess the effectiveness by monitoring respiratory effort and vital signs such as pulse oximetry and capillary refill

Aim for
Normal ranges 94-98%
COPD ranges 88-92%

Titrate to effect

Question 10

Report

Answer 10

Document and handover any relevant clinical information