Oxygen Therapy and Devices

NMMT 3100
Fall Semester
Regina Garrard, BSNMT, RT(N)
Oxygen – O2

• Colorless, Tasteless, and Odorless

• Constitutes 21% Atmospheric Gases (Nitrogen 78%, Argon 0.93% )

• Supports combustion but is NOT flammable

• Medical Oxygen is dry

o Humidification

• Medical O2 is considered a drug

o Requires a Physician’s Order (prescription)
o Dose
 LPM
 Concentration
Indications for Oxygen Therapy

• Hypoxemia
o Low Oxygen in the Blood

• Hypoxia
o Low Oxygen-cellular level

• Goals
o Treat Hypoxemia/Hypoxia
o Decrease workload of the Heart
o Decrease workload of the Lungs
Signs and Symptoms of Hypoxia

• Tachycardia
• Tachypnea
• Dyspnea
• Arryhthmias
• Anxiety
• Blurred Vision
• Impaired Judgment
• Cyanosis
Oxygen Delivery Systems

• Piped “wall” oxygen system

o Requires flow meter

• O2 cylinders
o Requires regulator
o Many different sizes
o Home O2
Using Cylinders

• Regulator
o Two gauges
 Pressure manometer
 O2 flow rate

• Cylinder level (fullness) proportional to pressure

o Higher the pressure the more oxygen in the tank

• Always secure cylinder to keep from falling

Cylinder Duration

• Different Sizes

• “E” cylinder used for transport

• Caution factor (amount of O2)

o Always underestimate tank levels
 Subtract 500psi from gauge reading
o Replace cylinders with < 500psi
Oxygen Therapy for the Out Patient

• Oxygen conserving devices

o Pulse dose
 Fixed volume based on breathing rate

o Demand
 Variable volume dependant on the
length of inspiration
Setting The Oxygen Flow

*Read the middle of the ball

Oxygen Delivery Devices

Two Types:
• Low flow
o Nasal cannula
 1-4 LPM
 Above 4 LMP requires addition of humidifier
 Delivers 24% to 36% oxygen

• High flow
o Masks
 Simple
• Flow rates > 6 LPM
• Delivers 35% to 50%
Masks

• Mask with reservoir bag

o Nonrebreather
 Valve
 In theory 100% O2 delivered
o Partial rebreather

• Aerosol mask
o Nebulizer

• Air-entrainment mask (venturi)

o Provide consistent concentration
even with respiratory pattern changes
Delivery Devices
Oxyhoods and Tents
Ventilators
The End