Topic 9: Oxygen Supplementation

Question 1

Why would we administer oxygen?

Answer 1

• stabilisation in an emergency situation,
• as ongoing therapy or for pre-oxygenation prior to induction of general anaesthetic
• Any disease process that lowers oxygen levels

Question 2

Clinical signs of anoxia?

Answer 2

• Increased respiratory rate, effort and sound
• MMC pale, blue, brownish
• animal my hold its head out with neck stretched away from its body, or elbows may be pointed outwards away from the body, as well as nostrils flaring.
• Check oxygen saturation levels
• Arterial blood gas measurement
• Pulse oximetry

Question 3

List the most commonly used methods of oxygen supplementation

Answer 3

• Flow-by
• Mask
• Hood
• Oxygen cage

Question 4

List the more invasive methods of oxygen supplementation?

Answer 4

• Nasal/Nasopharyngeal
• Transtracheal tube
• Endotracheal tube
• Mechanical ventilator

Question 5

What is the aim when selecting a method of oxygen supplementation?

Answer 5

• keeps the patient calm and reduces stress
• increases blood oxygen levels effectively
• and is the best choice for the amount and duration of oxygen therapy required

Question 6

Oxygen must be delivered humidified! How is this done?

Answer 6

is achieved via a humidifying device or bubbling oxygen through sterile water/saline.

Question 7

Name and describe two complications of oxygen therapy

Answer 7

• Respiratory depression
• over-supplementation, which is considered to cause oxygen toxicity. This causes individuals to display signs of dyspnoea (difficulty breathing and shortness of breath), especially when a patient is exposed to higher partial pressures of oxygen than in normal air.

Question 8

Describe flow-by technique

Answer 8

• tubing/prongs near nose
• Flow rate 2L/min, inspired air at 25% O2
  *

Question 9

Describe mask technique

Answer 9

• face mask attached to circle or rebreathing circuit
• requires administration by staff member continuously
• short term option only
• FR 8L/min
• air % 50
• Mask must be vented to prevent build up

Question 10

Describe hood technique

Answer 10

• E-collar and plastic wrap
• must be vented
• FR 1L/min
• air % 40
• good for cats

Question 11

Describe oxygen cage technique

Answer 11

• cats or small dogs
• cage must be filled initially, time consuming
• air % 50
• -ve is patient cannot be assessed w/out opening cage
• can get hot

Question 12

Describe nasal catheter technique

Answer 12

• one or both nostrils directly into respiratory tract to O2 source
• usually silicon feeding tube
• measure area from lateral canthus of eye to nostril
• lubricate and insert
• replace every 48hrs
• FR 50-150ml/kg/min
• air % 70

Question 13

Describe transtracheal technique

Answer 13

• very invasive, severe sitcho only
• for upper airway obstruction or open mouth breathing
• large bore catheter placed through skin into trachea b/w 3rd & 4th tracheal ring
• FR 50mls/kg/min
• air % 40-60

Question 14

Describe mechanical ventilation technique

Answer 14

• Placement of endotracheal tube
• animal must be anaesthetised
• placed directly into trachea
• air % 100
• FR dependant on size of patient
• Used for respiratory paralysis conditions