Principle of Oxygen therapy and sleep apnoea

Question 1

How is oxygen supplied to those who need it long term at home

Answer 1

They use oxygen concentrators which are molecular sieves (removes nitrogen) and gives an o2 predominant gas.

Question 2

What are 3 methods of delivering oxygen

Answer 2

nasal cannulae, uncontrolled masks (Hudson, non-rebreathe) and controlled ( fixed percentage-venturi masks).

Question 3

What clinical conditions is oxygen used as a treatment

Answer 3

• acutely hypoxaemic patients

- chronically hypoxaemic COPD patients with acute exacerbation or who are stable

Question 4

What is hypercapnia and who is at risk

Answer 4

(high co2 retention), patients with chronic hypoxic lung disease e.g. COPD, CF or bronchiectasis
chest wall diseases: thoracoplasty
neuromuscular disease and obesity-related hypoventilation.

Question 5

What is sleep apnoea

Answer 5

It is the cessation of airflow for 10 seconds or longer this can be central (resp centre control) or obstructive (collapse of the pharyngeal airway during sleep.

Question 6

What is CPAP

Answer 6

continuous positive airway pressure which delivers air via mask and keeps pharynx open.