o2 therapy choices and strategies

1. Oxygen Therapy

2. Oxygen therapy
Objectives:
 Understand the reasons for requiring
oxygen therapy.
 Be able to set up oxygen equipment.

3. Oxygen therapy
Oxygen is required for the functioning
and survival of all body tissues and
deprivation for more than a few minutes
is fatal.

4. Oxygen therapy
 In immediately life threatening situations
oxygen should be administered.
 Local policies will reflect when oxygen
that has not been prescribed may be
administered and by whom.

5. Oxygen therapy
When to use oxygen therapy?
 Hypoxaemia.
 Acute hypotension.
 Breathing inadequacy.
 Trauma.
 Acute illness.
 CO poisoning.
 Severe anaemia.
 During the peri-operative period.

6. Oxygen therapy
To ensure safe and effective treatment
remember:
 Oxygen is a prescription drug.
 Prescriptions should include –
1. Flow rate.
2. Delivery system.
3. Duration.
4. Instructions for monitoring.

7. Oxygen therapy
Oxygen delivery methods:
 All systems require.
1. Oxygen supply.
2. Flow meter.
3. Oxygen tubing.
4. Delivery device.
5. (Humidifier).

8. Oxygen therapy
Delivery devices:
 Non-rebreathing mask.
 Simple facemask.
 Nasal cannulae (nasal
prongs/speculae).
 Venturi mask.

9. Oxygen therapy
Non-rebreathing mask
 Allows the delivery of high concentrations of
oxygen (85% at 15 litres/min).
 Has a reservoir bag to entrain oxygen.
 One way valves prevent room and expired air
from diluting the oxygen concentration.
 A tight seal is essential.
 Reservoir bag must be seen to expand freely.

10. Oxygen therapy
Simple facemask
 Easy to use.
 Allows administration of variable
concentration dependant on flow of
fresh gas up to 40%.
 Requires a good fit.

11. Oxygen therapy
Nasal cannulae
 Easy to use.
 Well tolerated.
 Comfortable for long periods.
 Patient can eat and talk easily.
 Possible to deliver oxygen concentrations of
24-40% at flow rates of 1-6 litres/min.
 Flow rates in excess of 4 litres/min might
cause discomfort and drying of mucous
membranes and are best avoided.

12. Oxygen therapy
Venturi mask
 Mixes a specific volume of air and oxygen.
 Useful for accurately delivering low
concentrations of oxygen.
 Valves are colour coded and flow rate
required to deliver a fixed concentration is
shown on each valve.
 Can deliver oxygen concentrations between
24-60%.

13. Oxygen therapy
Humidification
 Is recommended if more than 4
litres/min is delivered.
 Helps prevent drying of mucous
membranes.
 Helps prevent the formation of
tenacious sputum.

14. Oxygen therapy
Oxygen concentrations will be affected
with all delivery systems if not fitted
correctly or tubing becomes kinked and
ports obstructed.

15. Oxygen therapy
 Information to patient.
 Support and reassurance.
 Confidence and compliance.

16. Dangers of oxygen therapy
 Ignition hazard.
 Risk of respiratory depression in some
patients with COPD if high
concentrations of oxygen administered
(CO2 retainers).

17. Oxygen Therapy
Summary
 Oxygen therapy can be life saving
therapy.
 Treat like any other drug.
 Be familiar with the principles of oxygen
delivery and different devices