Oxygen therapy has been in use for centuries. Oxygen)(O2) is gas used as a drug/medication and a such should be prescribed and administered in the right manner with regards to presenting indications for it's use[1]; which is always in the case of hypoxaemia[2]. It has side effects and specific risks, but, with objective monitoring and administration, it is a potent therapy for the patient with respiratory condition
Other indications include:
Increased work of breathing
Increased myocardial work and/or Myocardial infarction
Pulmonary hypertension[5]
Pre-oxygenation in induction and difficult intubation.
Pre and post suctioning[6]
Postoperative oxygenation especially in abdominal and chest surgeries[7]
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy indicated in decompression sickness, gas embolism, gas gangrene and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Anaemic Hypoxia : it’s benefits is limited due circulatory deficit[8].
In aerosol drug delivery.
2. Oxygen therapy, also referred to as supplemental oxygen, is
the use of oxygen as medical treatment. Supplemental
oxygen can also refer to the use of oxygen enriched air at
altitude.
Acute indications for therapy include hypoxemia, carbon
monoxide toxicity and cluster headache.
Wikipedia
3. Asthma, bronchitis or emphysema.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
COVID-19.
Cystic fibrosis.
Heart failure.
Lung cancer or other cancers.
Pneumonia.
Pulmonary fibrosis.
Sleep apnea.
altitude sickness.
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4. Pulse oximeter
Arterial blood gas test
Lung function tests: Pulmonary function tests like spirometry
Cleveland Clinic
5. Shortness of breath.
Bluish tint to skin, lips and nails.
Extreme fatigue.
Severe headaches.
Coughing or wheezing.
Fast pulse and heart rate.
Confusion.
Cleveland Clinic
6. TWO METHOD OF OXYGEN DELIVERY.
1. Low Flow Administration ( Nasal cannula, Facemask, Non- Breathable
facemask)
2. High Flow Administration (CPAP, bipap, Ventilator)
National Library
of Medicine
7. Deliver 24-30% oxygen
Flow rate 1-4L/min (4L will dry the nose, 2L is more comfortable)
Used in non-acute situations or if only mildly hypoxic (e.g. saturations stable at
92% in a patient without lung disease)
Oxford Medical
Education
8. Delivers 24-60% oxygen
Different colours deliver different
rates
Venturi masks are often used in
COPD, where it is important not to
over-oxygenate the patient.
Flow rate: Varies with colour. The
correct flow rate to use with each
colour it is shown on mask, along the
percentage of oxygen delivered.
9. It can carry upto 5 – 10Litres of O2 per Minute with
FIO2 0.35 – 0.55 (approximate flowrate of 40%).
Flowrates should be set at 5 L/min or more to avoid
rebreathing expired CO2 retained in the mask.
It slightly increases dead space and there is little
rebreathing.
It is usually uncomfortable for patients, obstruct
eating and drinking and also, muffles speech.
Oxygen Therapy. International Journal of Novel
Research in Healthcare and Nursing
10. Delivers 85-90% oxygen
15L flow rate
Bag on mask with valves stopping almost all
rebreathing of expired air.
Used for acutely unwell patients
Note that saturations should be maintained at 94-98%,
not 100%.
Do not keep patients on 15L for longer than necessary
as over-oxygenating for prolonged periods can be
harmful.
Oxford Medical
Education
11. CPAP (continuous positive airways pressure)
High pressure air/oxygen with a tight-fitting mask
Positive pressure all the time to help keep airways open (split them)
Used in acute pulmonary oedema and sleep apnoea
BiPAP (bilevel positive airways pressure)
High positive pressure on inspiration and lower positive pressure on expiration
Used in exacerbations of COPD and ARDS
Oxford Medical
Education
12. Fully controlled oxygen delivery up to 100%
A ventilation bag or machine is attached to an
artificial airway to ventilate lungs.
Used in intensive care and theatre
Oxford Medical
Education
13. Hyperbaric oxygen toxicity:
Long term hyperbaric O2 therapy can lead to pulmonary, optic and central nervous
system toxicity.
Fire hazard:
Oxygen enhance combustion of other fuels. Least level of supplemental oxygen
(FiO2 greater than the 21% oxygen in ambient air) should be administered during
laser bronchoscopy to avoid intratracheal ignition.
Absorption atelectasis:
Given only pure oxygen results in the collapse of the dependent part of the lungs as it
quickly taken up from the alveoli. It is also a risk in general anesthesia induction.
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP):
It usually occur in low birth weight, very premature infant.
Physiopedia