Oxygen Safety

oxygen therapy

delivery of oxygen to increase the supply

when is oxygen therapy used

to treat breathing difficulties and heart failure

role of a healthcare worker

can’t stop or adjust the flow of oxygen

who can adjust the flow of oxygen 

patients, based on their needs 

delivery methods of oxygen 

mask, thin tube, tracheostomy

when is tracheostomy used

throat cancer, paralysis

tracheostomy

tube inserted into throat that bypasses the upper airway

oxygen concentrator (home setting)

box, plugs into the wall, changes the room air into oxygenated air

portable units

small, battery operated, carried in a back pack

oxygen tanks

filled with compressed oxygen, mask/ nasal cannula, portability

when is an oxygen tank preferred

periods of respiratory distress

dial on oxygen tank

shows hoe much oxygen remains in the tank

ball on oxygen tank

hover at the marking designating the flow rate

small dial on the gauge on oxygen tank

adjusts oxygen and on/ off

humidifier

adds sterile/distilled water to the oxygen

when does oxygen become liquid

-300 degrees F

why is oxygen dangerous 

causes items to burn hotter and quicker

patient rights 

patients in oxygen can smoke if they want to outside of the hospital 

safety practices for smoking

turn oxygen off for 5 minutes before smoking, smoke outside, someone else should light the cigarette, try not to let ash fall on clothing, 

precautions for patient’s using oxygen

don’t use electric items, oil based products,

what should be used instead of oil based products

water based