NUR 186: Oxygen Therapy, Airway Clearance, Oxygenation, Cardiac Function, & Circulation

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering oxygen delivery devices, airway clearance, artificial airways, chest tube drainage systems, arterial blood gas interpretation, and interventions to promote cardiac function and venous circulation.

Oxygen Therapy

An intervention used to prevent hypoxia in clients experiencing difficulty ventilating, impaired gas exchange, or heart failure. It is considered a medication and must be prescribed by a healthcare provider with specified concentration, delivery method, flow rate, or titration parameters.

Oxygen Flowmeter Reading

The correct technique for reading an oxygen flowmeter by aligning the line of prescribed flow rate with the center of the indicator ball float.

Oxygen Humidification Threshold

The flow rate threshold of greater than $4\,\text{LPM}$ ($> 4\,\text{LPM}$) at which supplemental oxygen must be humidified using sterile water to prevent drying of the client's mucous membranes.

Nasal Cannula

The most common, least expensive, and easiest-to-apply oxygen delivery device. It delivers a flow rate of $1\text{--}6\,\text{LPM}$ providing an $\text{FiO}_2$ of $24\text{--}44\%$.

High-Flow Nasal Cannula

An advanced oxygen delivery device capable of administering heated, fully humidified, high-velocity oxygen at flow rates up to $60\,\text{LPM}$ (commonly $20\text{--}60\,\text{LPM}$), delivering an $\text{FiO}_2$ of $21\text{--}100\%$.

Simple Face Mask

An oxygen delivery device covering the nose and mouth equipped with exhalation ports for $\text{CO}_2$ escape. It operates at $5\text{--}8\,\text{LPM}$ or $5\text{--}10\,\text{LPM}$ ($\text{FiO}_2$ $35\text{--}60\%$) and requires a minimum flow rate of $5\,\text{LPM}$ ($5\text{--}6\,\text{L/min}$) to flush exhaled carbon dioxide out of the mask.

Partial Rebreather Mask

An oxygen delivery device delivering $50\text{--}75\%$ (or $60\text{--}75\%$) $\text{O}_2$ at $6\text{--}11\,\text{LPM}$ or $10\text{--}15\,\text{LPM}$. It features an attached reservoir bag without one-way valves, allowing the client to rebreathe the first one-third ($1/3$) of exhaled air to recycle expired oxygen without total bag collapse.

Non-Rebreather Mask

An oxygen delivery device delivering the highest oxygen concentration ($60\text{--}95\%$ or $80\text{--}95\%$) available without mechanical ventilation at $10\text{--}15\,\text{LPM}$. It uses one-way valves to prevent room air and exhaled air from entering the reservoir bag, which must remain partially inflated.

Venturi Mask

A high-precision oxygen delivery device that provides a fixed concentration of $24\text{--}50\%$ (or $24\text{--}60\%$) $\text{O}_2$ at flow rates of $4\text{--}10\,\text{LPM}$ (or $2\text{--}15\,\text{LPM}$) via color-coded, wide-bore adapters. Increasing the liter flow rate does NOT increase the delivered oxygen concentration.

Face Tent

An open oxygen delivery device fitted loosely under the chin and over the lower face, used when masks are poorly tolerated. It delivers $30\text{--}50\%\,\text{O}_2$ at $4\text{--}10\,\text{LPM}$ and requires regular assessment for skin dampness and chafing.

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)

A mode of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) that maintains continuous positive pressure during both inspiration and expiration at a single pressure setting to keep the alveoli open.

BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure)

A form of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) delivering continuous positive pressure at two distinct levels: a higher positive pressure during inspiration and a lower positive pressure during expiration to keep alveoli open.

Oxygen Fire Safety Precautions

Safety mandates for oxygen therapy including keeping heat sources at least $5\,\text{feet}$ away, avoiding open flames, posting 'no smoking' signs, ensuring electrical equipment is grounded and in good repair, avoiding static-generating synthetic fabrics, avoiding oil- or petroleum-based products nearby, and storing cylinders upright in a secured device.

Tracheostomy Tube Components

Structural elements of artificial tracheal airways comprising an outer tube with a neck flange, an inner cannula, an obturator, and—in cuffed versions—an inflatable balloon cuff connected via an inflation tube to a pilot balloon.

Obturator

A smooth, rounded guide inserted into the outer cannula of a tracheostomy tube to protect tracheal tissue during insertion, which is removed immediately once the tube is in place.

Hyperoxygenation

The nursing protocol of administering increased oxygen concentration immediately before and after airway suctioning to prevent suction-induced hypoxia.

Pneumothorax

An abnormal accumulation of air in the pleural space that disrupts negative intrapleural pressure, resulting in partial or complete collapse of the lung.

Hemothorax

An accumulation of blood in the pleural space that disrupts negative intrapleural pressure and leads to lung collapse.

Pleural Effusion

An excessive collection of fluid within the pleural space between the parietal and visceral pleura.

Chest Tube Drainage System

A closed, sealed apparatus equipped with a one-way valve that evacuates air, blood, or fluid from the pleural space to re-establish negative intrapleural pressure and allow lung re-expansion.

Chest Tube Drainage Assessment Criteria

The four clinical characteristics of chest tube output that a nurse must evaluate and document: Amount, Odor, Color, and Consistency.

Pursed-Lip Breathing Technique

A controlled breathing exercise designed to prolong expiration and prevent airway collapse; performed by relaxing neck and shoulders, inhaling slowly through the nostrils, pursing lips, and exhaling slowly through the mouth.

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Reference Ranges

Standard arterial parameters used for acid-base interpretation: $\text{pH: } 7.35\text{--}7.45$ (venous: $7.31\text{--}7.41$), $\text{PaCO}_2\text{: } 35\text{--}45\,\text{mmHg}$ (respiratory component), $\text{HCO}_3^-\text{: } 22\text{--}26\,\text{mEq/L}$ (metabolic component), $\text{Base Excess: } -2\text{ to }+2\,\text{mEq/L}$, $\text{PaO}_2\text{: } 80\text{--}100\,\text{mmHg}$, and $\text{O}_2\text{ saturation: } 95\text{--}98\%$.

Sequential Compression Devices (SCDs)

Inflatable sleeves applied to the lower extremities that systematically inflate and deflate to promote venous blood return, reduce venous stasis, and prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Antiembolism Stockings (TEDs)

Graduated elastic stockings applied to the legs to facilitate venous return, prevent blood pooling, and decrease the risk of deep vein thrombosis in immobilized or surgical clients.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CABD)

The emergency life-support sequence consisting of: Chest Compressions (verify pulse; if absent, initiate compressions to provide artificial circulation), Airway (tilt head, lift chin), Breathing (administer 2 breaths lasting 1 second each), and Defibrillation (apply the AED as soon as available).

Venous Stasis Prevention Positioning

Circulatory positioning guidelines that include elevating the legs while sitting and strictly avoiding pillows under the knees or knee flexion exceeding $15^\circ$ ($15+^\circ$), which can impede venous blood return.