EMR chapter 10 - principles of Oxygen Therapy

signs someone needs supplemental oxygen

altered mental status

abnormal vital signs (rapid pulse, low blood pressure, rapid breaths)

significant MOI (bad injury)

distress

oxygen saturation

how much oxygen is in the blood. For most healthy adults, normal oxygen saturation levels are between 95 and 100 percent

pressure regulator

device used to lower the delivery pressure of oxygen from a cylinder; also called an oxygen regulator.

remember to crack open valve before attaching regulator

oxygen cylinder sizes

Jumbo D (640 L of oxygen. Short and thick)

Standard D (425 L. Short and thin)

E (680 L. Tall and thin)

pressure gauge

device on a pressure regulator that displays the pressure inside an oxygen cylinder.

Full is 2,000 psi

how long will oxygen last for?

tank pressure times conversion factor (0.16 for D and E size)

divided by

Liters per minute

how often must cylinders be tested?

every 5 years (if it has a star stamp, it can wait 10 years to be tested again)

reducing tank pressure numbers

deduce tank pressure from 2000 psi to 30-70 psi

pin index safety system

safety system used to ensure that the proper regulator is used for a specific gas, such as oxygen.

certain pins go in specific holes

humidifiers

goes between tank and pressure regulator

use if person will be on oxygen longer than 20 min

pulse oximeter

used to see patient’s oxygen saturation (should be above 94%)

nasal cannula

provides 25% concentration with 1 LPM (add 4% per 1 LPM increased. 29%-2, 33%-3LPM)

flow rate is 1-6 LPM

most often used with patients in MILD-MODERATE distress

nonrebreather mask

10-15 LPM (so 80%-95% oxygen delivered)

used with most trauma patients and medical patients in moderate-severe distress

fill reservoir bag with air BEFORE putting on patient

Blow-by delivery mask

holding nonrebreather at 15 LPM next to face rather on it (works for little kids)

prepping for administer oxygen

1. remove cap covering cylinder yoke

2. open main valve for 1 second, pointed away (removes dust)

3. ensure O-ring is present

4. place regulator on the yoke, and tighten T-screw (dont overtighten)

   1. attach tube to delivery device

actually administering oxygen 

1. explain need for oxygen therapy

2. open main valve one full turn

3. adjust to correct flow rate

4. fill reservoir bag with air FIRST by covering valve with finger

5. put on patient

6. secure cylinder during transfer

when to use nasal cannula/norebreather vs BVM/demand valve device?

nonrebreathers are for people who can breath adequately

BVM is used when someone can take breaths in

venturi mask

type of non-rebreather mask that allows you to change the oxygen concentration WITHOUT changing LPM