Oxygen

Question 1

Oxygen Intro

Answer 1

Oxygen is a treatment for hypoxaemia and has not been shown to have any effect on breathlessness in non-hypoxaemic patients.

Question 2

Oxygen Indications

Answer 2

• Adult:
  Oxygen should be titrated to achieve oxygen saturations of between 94 – 98%, (or 88 – 92% for COPD patients). These are achieved through the use of different flow rates and oxygen masks.
• Paediatric:
  All paediatric patients with significant illness or injury should receive oxygen. Newborn resuscitation should ideally be commenced with room air for the first couple of breaths.

Question 3

Oxygen Contraindications

Answer 3

• Explosive or flammable environments
• Normoxia

Question 4

Oxygen Precautions / Notes

Answer 4

• If the target saturations cannot be maintained with the nasal cannula or medium concentration mask then change to a non-rebreather oxygen mask.
• Oxygen increases the toxicity in paraquat poisoning, target saturations of 88–92%.
• Remember that some conditions can affect SpO2 readings e.g. carbon monoxide poisoning and cold digits

Question 5

Oxygen Special Considerations (Side Effects)

Answer 5

• Patients with acute episodes of COPD are at risk of developing carbon dioxide retention if they are given excessive supplemental oxygen. This can cause acidosis and subsequent organ dysfunction.
• High oxygen concentrations can lead to increased production of reactive free radicals resulting in cellular damage. This may be responsible for the detrimental effects observed with the use of high flow oxygen in myocardial infarction and stroke.