Oxygen Therapy

-provision of therapeutic oxygen

Purposes
-To provide supplemental oxygen to patient needing an increased amount of oxygen for inspiration

-To prevent hypoxia (occurs if the amount of oxygen delivered to the body tissues is too low.

Signs & Symptoms
-Tachycardia
-Dyspnea
-cyanosis
-restlessness

Equipment
1. Oxygen supply (tank, built in O2)
2. Flow Meter Gauge – indicate the gas flow in liters
3. Cylinder Content Gauge – indicates the amount of oxygen in the tank
4. Humidifier Bottle – prevents dryness of oral & nasal mucous membrane
5. Nasal Cannula/Face Mask
6. “No Smoking” sign
7. Tape/micropore
8. Gauge

Things To Remember
-Oxygen can be delivered from wall outlet or portable cylinder
-Oxygen can cause drying of mucous membrane

Safety Measures
1. Avoid open flames in the patients room
2. Place “No Smoking” sign in the areas where Oxygen be used especially in the patients room & instruct the patient visitors the danger of smoking.
3. Avoid using oil or any clothing stained w/ oil
4. Receiving oxygen is a frightening experience for patient
5. The patient should wear clothes made of cotton
6. Make sure there are no short circuit on the nasal Cannula or nasal prong.

Procedure
1. Determine the need for oxygen therapy & verify the order for the therapy
2. Assemble all the equipment needed
3. Identify the patient & explain what you are going to do.
4. Wash hands.
5. Provide privacy
6. Set-up the oxygen equipment & the humidifier bottle

a. Attach the flow meter to the wall outlet or tank

b. Fill the humidifier bottle w/ distilled water

c. Attach the humidifier bottle to the base of the flow meter

d. Attach the prescribed oxygen tubing & delivery device to the humidifier bottle

7. Turn-on the oxygen at the prescribed rate & ensure proper functioning

a. Check that oxygen is flowing freely through the tubing by putting th outlet of the nasal cannula to the face or hands & feel if there is air coming out.

b. There should be bubbles in the humidifier bottle

c. Set the oxygen at the flow rate prescribed

8. Apply the appropriate oxygen delivery device

a. Nasal Cannula or Nasal Prong – Put the cannula over the clients face with the outlet fits into the narease & the elastic bond around the head. If the cannula will not stay in place, ask permission from the patient that you are going to put a tape; then tape it on the sides of the face. Pad the tubing & bond over the ears & cheek bones.

b. Face Mask – Guide the mask towards the clients face & apply it from the nose downward.

-Fit the mask to the contour of the clients face.

-Secure elastic bond around the clients head.

-Pad the bond behind the ears and bony prominences.

9. Assess the client regularly.
-Vital signs
-Anxiety level of the patient
-Color of the patient
-Ease of respiration
-Assess for signs of hypoxia

10. Inspect the equipment regularly
-Checking the flow meter & the level of the humidifier bottle

11. After care, handwashing then documentation.