This document provides information on oxygen administration including definitions, sources, purposes, indications, precautions, equipment, and methods. It defines oxygen administration as supplementing oxygen at a higher concentration than atmospheric air. Therapeutic oxygen sources are wall outlets and cylinders. Oxygen is administered through masks or nasal cannulas to treat conditions like respiratory distress and hypoxia. Precautions include avoiding sparks and open flames near cylinders. The two main methods described are mask administration and nasal cannula administration, including equipment requirements and step-by-step procedures.

1. OXYGEN ADMINISTRATION.
Compiled by
Francis K. Antwi
ADMINISTRATION.
COMPILED BY:
Francis K. Antwiakwaci25@hotmail.com

2. INTRODUCTION.
• Oxygen is a gas found in air and has no colour, smell or
taste and very necessary for life.
• Oxygen has the symbol O and atomic number eight (8).
• Oxygen makes up 21% of the atmosphere by volume.
• Oxygen is obtained by two (2) methods, that is by distillation
of liquid air and by passing a clean dry air through a zeolite
that absorbs nitrogen and leaves the oxygen.
• Oxygen is used in industries, water treatment and as a
therapy.

3. DEFINITION.
Oxygen administration is the process by which
supplemented oxygen is administered in high
concentration than that of atmospheric air.

4. SOURCES OF OXYGEN IN
HOSPITALS.
Therapeutic oxygen is available from two sources:
1. Wall outlets.
2. Oxygen cylinders.
• Stationary
• Portable, mobile or ambulatory.

5. PURPOSE OF OXYGEN
ADMINISTRATION.
To relieve dyspnea.
To prevent hypoxemia (low level of oxygen in the
blood) and hypoxia (low level of oxygen in cells).
To increase oxygenation in tissues.

6. INDICATIONS FOR OXYGEN
ADMINISTRATION.
• Severe respiratory distress (e.g. acute asthma and
pneumonia.)
• Intra and post operatively
• Hypoxia and hypoxemia
• Shock
• Severe trauma
• Acute myocardial infraction (heart attack)

7. PRECAUTIONS FOR OXYGEN
ADMINISTRATION.
• Avoid naked flames near oxygen cylinder.
• Put a No Smoking sign at the entrance of the ward and near patient
bed to warn others.
• Do not use oil on the oxygen cylinder. Oil can ignite if exposed to
oxygen.
• Do not use electrical gadgets or any article which can cause
sparks near oxygen cylinder.
• Do not give oxygen to a hyperventilated patient.

8. PRECAUTIONS CONTINUES.
• Keep oxygen cylinders in a dry and cool place
• Mark oxygen cylinder to indicate whether full or empty.
• Use only carriers with wheel to transport oxygen cylinder,
do not roll the oxygen cylinder.
• Oxygen must only be administered at the rate and
percentage prescribed.
• Do not adjust flow meter until instructed.
• Encourage or assist patient to move about in bed to prevent
hypostatic pneumonia or circulatory difficulties.

9. ARTICLES/EQUIPMENTS NEEDED FOR
OXYGEN ADMINISTRATION.
• Oxygen source: wall outlets or
oxygen cylinder.
• Flow meter.
• Humidifier filled with sterile
water.
• Oxygen tubing.
• Nasal catheter or Mask.
• Gallipot with cotton swabs.
• Water soluble lubricant.
• Bowl containing water.
• Oxygen precaution sign.

10. PART OF OXYGEN CYLINDER.
Oxygen cylinders.
Flow meter
Flow adjuster
Oxygen output
Humidifying bottle
Oxygen input pipe
Pressure gauge
Oxygen input plug
Pressure adjuster

11. PARTS CONTINUES.
Oxygen mask. Nasal cannula.
Oxygen stand /transporter

12. METHODS OF OXYGEN
ADMINISTRATION.
There are many ways of administering oxygen to
patients but the most common ones are:
 By mask.
By nasal cannula.

13. OXYGEN ADMINISTRATION BY MASK.

14. REQUIREMENTS.
• Oxygen source.
• Oxygen tubing.
• Oxygen Mask.
• Bowl containing water.
• Gallipot with cotton swabs.
• Oxygen precaution sign.
• Gloves.

15. PROCEDURE.
Check doctors order including the date, time and flow rate
Explain purpose and procedure to patient to gain his/her
cooperation and to allay fear/anxiety.
Observe safety precautions in giving oxygen and let the
patient, other patients and visitors know the dangers involved.
Wash hands and dry.
Assemble the equipments.
Make patient comfortable in bed.

16. PROCEDURE CONTINUES.
Attach the flow meter with humidifier filled with 1/3 of water and
pressure gauge to the threaded outlet of the oxygen cylinder.
Connect the tubing from the mask to the outlet on the humidifier.
Turn on the key on the oxygen cylinder and put the end of tubing in
the bowl of water to test for the flow of oxygen.
Apply the mask over patients nose and mouth and adjust the elastic
strap over clients head to keep the mask in position.
Use gauze or cotton swab to reduce irritation caused by the elastic
strap especially on patients scalp and ears.
Regulate flow meter as prescribed e.g. 2-3 litres/minute in adults and
half-2 litres in children.

17. PROCEDURE CONTINUES.
Stand by to observe the flow of oxygen for some time before leaving
patients bed side.
Document the procedure and wash hands.
Regularly check on patient for any abnormalities.
Regularly check the flow meter and gauge for the amount of oxygen
in the cylinder and the water level in the humidifier.
Remove mask from patient when he/she is better.
Turn off oxygen and make patient comfortable in bed.
Record and report any abnormalities.

18. OXYGEN ADMINISTRATION BY NASAL CANNULA.

19. REQUIREMENTS.
• Oxygen source.
• Oxygen tubing.
• Nasal cannula Mask.
• Bowl containing water.
• Gallipot with cotton swabs.
• Oxygen precaution sign.
• Gloves.

20. PROCEDURE.
Check doctors order including the date, time, flow rate and
method.
Explain purpose and procedure to patient to gain his/her
cooperation and to allay fear/anxiety.
Observe safety precautions in giving oxygen and let the
patient, other patients and visitors know the dangers involved.
Wash hands and dry.
Assemble the equipments.
Make patient comfortable in bed.

21. PROCEDURE CONTINUES.
Attach the flow meter with humidifier filled with 1/3 of water and
pressure gauge to the threaded outlet of the oxygen cylinder.
Connect the tubing from the nasal cannula to the outlet on the
humidifier.
Turn on the key on the oxygen cylinder and put the end of tubing in
the bowl of water to test for the flow of oxygen.
Clean patient nostrils and place cannula in patients nostrils, send the
tubing over patients head and adjust it behind patients head/ears.
Encourage patient to breath through the nose and exhale through the
mouth to trap more oxygen into the trachea, which is less likely to be
exhaled through the mouth.

22. PROCEDURE CONTINUES.
Regulate flow meter as prescribed e.g. 2-3 litres/minute in adults and
half-2 litres in children.
Stand by to observe the flow of oxygen for some time before leaving
patients bed side.
Document the procedure and wash hands.
Regularly check on patient for any abnormalities, especially the nares
for irritations in an interval of four (4) hours.
Regularly check the flow meter and gauge for the amount of oxygen
in the cylinder and the water level in the humidifier.

23. PROCEDURE CONTINUES.
Remove nasal cannula from patient when he/she is better.
Turn off oxygen and make patient comfortable in bed.
Record and report any abnormalities.

24. CLEANING THE CANNULAAND MASK.
After each use, the oxygen cannula and mask must be cleaned by:
• Soaking the cannula or mask in a soapy water or savilon for an
hour.
• Dry it properly.
• Clean the tip of the cannula with a spirit swab. With the mask ,
clean the interior before reapplying it to a patient.

25. NASAL CANNULA.
ADVANTAGES
• Patients are able to talk, eat and
drink with oxygen in place.
• Patients can vomit and let oral
secretion out easily without any
interruption in oxygen delivery.
• It delivers low concentration of
oxygen.
DISADVANTAGES
• It can easily dislodge from patient
nostrils.
• It causes irritation in the nostrils.
• It causes dryness in the nostrils.

26. MASK.
ADVANTAGES
• It delivers high concentration of
oxygen.
• Its quick and easy to apply.
DISADVANTAGES
• It must be removed while talking,
eating, vomiting and drinking.
• It obstruct coughing.
• It blocks vomitus in unconscious
patients.
• Carbon dioxide may build up in the
mask.
• It causes skin irritation.
• Aspiration of vomitus is likely when
mask is in place.

27. SIDE EFFECTS OF OXYGEN
ADMINISTRATION.
• Oxygen toxicity.
• Drying of the mucus membrane.
• Infection.

28. By : akwaci25