oxygen

• indications for oxygen?

  1. critical illness requiring high levels of supplemental oxygen.
  2. serious illnesses requiring moderate levels of supplemental oxygen if the patient is hypoxaemic.
  3. COPD and other conditions requiring controlled or low-dose oxygen therapy.
• actions of oxygen?

  1. reverses hypoxia, by raising the concentration of inspired oxygen.
• contra-indications of oxygen?

  explosive environments
• cautions of oxygen?

  1. increases the fire hazard at the scene of an incident.
  2. defibrillation - ensure pads firmly applied to reduce spark hazard.
• side effects of oxygen?

  1. non-humidified oxygen is drying and irritating to mucous membranes over a period of time.
  2. COPD patients - high doses of inspired oxygen can produce increased carbon dioxide levels which may cause respiratory depression.
• dosage / administration of oxygen?

  1. measure oxygen saturation in all patients using pulse oximetry.
  2. administer until a reliable oxygen saturation is obtained.
  3. document oxygen administration.
• flow rates and % oxygen delivered in nasal cannula?

  1. 1L / min --> 24%
  2. 2L / min --> 28%
  3. 3L / min --> 36%
• colour, flow rates, and % oxygen delivered in venturi valve + mask?

  blue --> 2 - 4 L / min --> 24%

  white --> 4 - 6 L / min --> 28%

  yellow --> 8 - 10 L / min --> 35%

  red --> 10 - 12 L / min --> 40%

  green --> 12 - 15 L / min --> 60%
• flow rate and % oxygen delivered in non-rebreather mask?

  1. 15 L / min --> 85%