Oxygen

Question 1

Drug class

Answer 1

Gas

Question 2

Pharmacology

Answer 2

Colourless, odourless gas essential for the production of cellular energy

Question 3

Indications

Answer 3

A wide range of conditions resulting in, or potentially resulting in systematic and/or localised hypoxia

Question 4

Contraindications

Answer 4

• Paraquat poisoning with SpO2 ≥ 88%

* Bleomycin therapy with SpO2 ≥ 88%

Question 5

Precautions

Answer 5

• Paraquat poisoning or bleomycin lung injury
• Prolonged admin to premature neonates
• Newborns (they will have low SpO2 for first 10mins)
• Cyanotic heart disease - sats targets may be 75-85%

Question 6

Side effects

Answer 6

• Hypoventilation in some COPD pts with hypoxic drive

* Drying of airway mucous membranes

Question 7

Presentation

Onset

Answer 7

C cylinder, 450L
D cylinder, 1600L

Immediate

Question 8

Routes of administration

Answer 8

NC
NEB
SFM
NRBM
BVM
LMA
ETT
CPAP

Question 9

Special notes

Answer 9

• BVM will not supply adequate oxygenation unless IPPV is provided
• Sat’s monitors cannot differentiate between carboxyhaemoglobin & oxyhaemoglobin, therefore carbon monoxide poisons pts require max dose irrespective of SpO2 reading
• COPD pts requiring NEB salbutamol = @ 6L/min. All other pts 8L/min

Question 9

Special notes

Answer 9

• BVM will not supply adequate oxygenation unless IPPV is provided
• Sat’s monitors cannot differentiate between carboxyhaemoglobin & oxyhaemoglobin, there carbon monoxide poisons pts require max dose irrespective of SpO2 reading
• COPD pts require NEB salbutamol @ 6L/min. All other pts 8L/min

Question 10

Adult/Paed Dosages

Answer 10

• Intra-arrest
• CO2 poisoning
• Cyanide poisoning 
• Pre-oxygenation for RSI
▪︎ INH 100%

• Paraquat toxicity
• Bleomycin Rx
• Obesity 
• COPD
• Cystic fibrosis 
• Neuromuscular disease 
▪︎ INH titrate to achieve 88-92%

All other presentations not listed
▪︎ INH 92-96%