Oxygen

Question 1

Why do we use oxygen?

Answer 1

Oxygen is a life saving drug for hypoxaemic patients
Giving too much oxygen is unnecessary as oxygen cannot be stored in the body
COPD patients can be harmed by too much oxygen
Only give as much oxygen as needed

Question 2

What are the risks of oxygen?

Answer 2

• COPD patients who are critically I’ll should have the same oxygen therapy until blood gases are obtained.
• Some patients with oxygen sensitivity may require a different lower target range such as 88-92%
• higher concentration of oxygen can be harmful
• post operative hypoxaemia
• Risk to COPD patients
• Coronary vasoconstriction
• Reduced cardiac index

Question 3

What should nurses do when administering oxygen?

Answer 3

• document starting device/flow
• start oxygen and ensure target achieved quickly
• titrate oxygen to keep in range
• sign drug chart every drug round
• monitor oxygen saturation 4 hourly
• record spo2
• codes to be written on observation chart

Question 4

What is a high concentration reservoir mask?

Answer 4

• non re-breathing reservoir mask
• critical illness/ trauma patients
• post cardiac or respiratory arrest
• delivers oxygen concentration between 60-80%
• effective for short term treatment

Question 5

What is a nasal cannulae?

Answer 5

• recommended for most patients
• 1-6L/min gives approx 24-50%
• comfortable and easily tolerated
• no re-breathing
• patient can eat and drink
• preferred by patients
• low cost product

Question 6

What is a Venturi or fixed performance mask?

Answer 6

• Aims to deliver constant oxygen concentration within and between breaths
• good device for patients with raised CO2- 88-92%

Question 7

What is a simple face mask?

Answer 7

Used for patients with type 1 respiratory failure
Delivers variable oxygen concentration between 35-60%
Low cost product
Flow 5-10L/min

Question 8

What is humidified oxygen used for?

Answer 8

• Tracheostomy
• Bronchiectasis
• cystic fibrosis patients
• physiotherapists may advise humidification
• patients on high flow whisper

Question 9

What is a tracheostomy mask?

Answer 9

• neck breathing patients
• adjust oxygen flow to main target saturation
• prolonged oxygen use requires humidification
• patients may also need suction to remove airway mucus

Question 10

What is high flow nasal oxygen used?

Answer 10

• specialised equipment alternative to reservoir mask treatment in patients with acute respiratory failure without hypercapnia
• Mostly used in intensive care units, high dependency units and other specialised areas