Supplemental Oxygen Administration

• What is the purpose of oxygen therapy?

  To provide supplemental oxygen to patients
• In which conditions is oxygen therapy indicated?

  When ventilation, gas exchange, or oxygen delivery is impaired
• What does impaired ventilation refer to?

  Inability to ventilate all areas of the lungs
• What does impaired gas exchange mean?

  Reduced efficiency in exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide
• What happens when oxygen delivery to tissues is decreased?

  Cells may not receive enough oxygen for function
• What does it mean if cells are unable to use oxygen effectively?

  Cells cannot perform aerobic metabolism properly
• What is SpO2?

  Oxygen saturation level in the blood
• What is PaO2?

  Partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood
• What does a trend of gradual decline or sudden drop in SpO2 indicate?

  Potential worsening of oxygenation status
• What are signs of inadequate tissue oxygenation?

  Hypoxia, especially in the brain
• Why is the brain particularly susceptible to inadequate oxygenation?

  It requires a constant supply of oxygen
• What is hypoxia?

  Life-threatening condition of low oxygen levels
• What does the degree of distress indicate in a patient?

  Use of accessory muscles and breathing patterns
• What are accessory muscles used for in breathing?

  To assist in inhalation during distress
• What is nasal flaring a sign of?

  Increased respiratory distress
• What does mouth breathing indicate?

  Difficulty in breathing through the nose
• What does WOB stand for?

  Work of Breathing
• What are the differences between high flow and low flow oxygen delivery systems?

  • High flow: Delivers a fixed concentration of oxygen
  • Low flow: Delivers variable concentrations of oxygen
• What safety considerations are important for oxygen therapy?

  Preventing fire hazards and ensuring proper storage