Interventions for Alterations in Oxygenation

Oxygen (O2)

Essential for cellular energy production.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Waste product of energy production, exhaled.

Gas exchange

Involves ventilation, respiration, and perfusion.

Ventilation

Movement of air into and out of lungs.

Inspiration

Active process of drawing air into lungs.

Expiration

Passive process of expelling air from lungs.

Negative pressure

Keeps lungs open at rest.

Regulation of Ventilation

Controlled by central nervous system mechanisms.

Medulla

Part of brainstem regulating breathing.

Chemoreceptors

Detect changes in blood gas levels.

Proprioceptors

Stimulate ventilation during physical activity.

Airway resistance

Influences airflow in the respiratory system.

Lung compliance

Measure of lung expansion capability.

Respiration

Gas exchange in alveoli of lungs.

Diffusion

Molecules move from high to low concentration.

Atelectasis

Alveolar collapse reducing gas exchange.

Perfusion

Delivery of oxygen to cells and CO2 return.

Hyperventilation

Rapid breathing causing excessive CO2 loss.

Hypoventilation

Slow breathing leading to CO2 retention.

Hypoxia

Inadequate oxygen supply to body cells.

Acute Hypoxia

Rapid oxygen level drop, emergency situation.

Chronic Hypoxia

Gradual oxygen level decrease, body adapts.

Blood Flow Through Heart

Path of blood from vena cava to aorta.

Pulmonary Vein

Carries oxygenated blood to the left atrium.

Left Atrium

Receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary vein.

Mitral Valve

Regulates blood flow from left atrium to ventricle.

Left Ventricle

Pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta.

Aorta

Main artery delivering blood to systemic circulation.

Heart Valves

Four valves that regulate blood flow direction.

Arteries

Vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from heart.

Veins

Vessels that carry deoxygenated blood to the heart.

Capillaries

Smallest vessels for gas exchange in tissues.

Cardiovascular System Function

Delivers oxygen and nutrients, removes waste.

Circulation

Continuous blood flow throughout the body.

SA Node

Heart's pacemaker initiating electrical signals.

AV Node

Receives signals from SA node, delays transmission.

Bundle of His

Pathway for electrical signals from AV node.

Bundle Branches

Conducts electrical impulses to heart ventricles.

Purkinje Fibers

Distributes electrical impulses throughout ventricles.

Arrhythmias

Irregular heartbeat due to electrical conduction issues.

Ischemia

Impaired oxygen delivery to heart or brain.

Myocardial Ischemia

Chest pain due to reduced blood flow to heart.

Cardiac Valve Stenosis

Narrowed valves causing increased heart workload.

Stroke Volume (SV)

Volume of blood pumped per heartbeat.

Heart Failure

Inefficient blood pumping by the heart.

Hypovolemia

Inadequate blood volume affecting circulation.

Physical Examination Techniques

Includes inspection, palpation, and auscultation.

Diagnostic Testing

Pulmonary function tests assess respiratory health.

Impaired gas exchange

Reduced ability to transfer oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Ineffective breathing pattern

Abnormal respiratory rate or rhythm affecting oxygenation.

Ineffective airway clearance

Inability to maintain clear airways for effective breathing.

Impaired cardiac output

Reduced blood flow affecting oxygen delivery to tissues.

Impaired verbal communication

Difficulty expressing thoughts due to respiratory issues.

Activity intolerance

Insufficient physical capacity to perform daily activities.

Risk for infection

Increased susceptibility to infections due to compromised health.

Anxiety

Emotional distress impacting breathing and oxygenation.

Fatigue

Extreme tiredness affecting physical and mental performance.

Lifestyle Modification

Changes in habits to improve health outcomes.

Nutritional Support

Dietary adjustments to enhance respiratory health.

High-protein, high-calorie diet

Recommended for COPD patients to maintain energy.

Hydration

Intake of 2-3 liters daily to thin secretions.

Pursed-Lip Breathing

Technique to stabilize airways and control breath.

Diaphragmatic Breathing

Breathing technique improving gas exchange and reducing rate.

Airway Maintenance

Strategies to clear secretions and prevent obstruction.

Cough and Deep Breathing (C&DB)

Encourages lung expansion and secretion mobilization.

Incentive Spirometer

Device to encourage deep breathing and lung function.

Chest Physiotherapy

Techniques to assist in clearing excessive secretions.

Suctioning

Procedure to remove secretions from airways.

Endotracheal Tube

Artificial airway for mechanical ventilation support.

Ambu Bag

Manual resuscitation device for oxygen delivery in emergencies.

Patient Positioning

Positions to enhance lung expansion.

Fowler's Position

Upright position promoting chest expansion.

Tripod Position

Indicates moderate to severe respiratory distress.

Prone Position

Lying on chest; used in ARDS.

Pain Control

Analgesics promote effective lung expansion.

Chest Tubes

Inserted to allow lung re-expansion.

Pneumothorax

Air accumulation in pleural space.

Hemothorax

Blood accumulation in pleural space.

Pleural Effusion

Fluid accumulation in pleural space.

Oxygen Therapy Basics

Room air contains 21% oxygen.

Provider Order

Required for initiating oxygen therapy.

Indications for Oxygen Therapy

Includes low SpO₂ and hypoxia.

Oxygen Safety

Oxygen is combustible and must be secured.

Flow Meter

Adjusts oxygen delivery rate, 0.5 to 15 L.

Humidifier

Prevents nasal mucosa drying during oxygen therapy.

Portable Compressed Oxygen Tank

Mobile oxygen source for short-term use.

Oxygen Compressor

Converts room air to medical-grade oxygen.

High Flow System

Delivers consistent oxygen concentration regardless of effort.

Low Flow System

Oxygen delivery varies with respiratory rate.

Nasal Cannula

Least invasive; delivers 24-44% FiO₂.

Simple Face Mask

Covers mouth and nose; delivers 40-60% FiO₂.

Venturi Mask

High-flow system with color-coded adapters.

High-Flow Nasal Cannula

Delivers 21-100% FiO₂ at 2-60 L/min.

Non-Rebreather Mask

Delivers 80-95% FiO₂ with reservoir bag.

BiPAP

Non-invasive ventilation with varying pressures.

CPAP

Delivers constant pressure to airways.

Ventilator

Most invasive; requires artificial airway.

SpO₂

Non-invasive oxygen saturation monitoring.

ABG

Invasive arterial blood draw for oxygen data.