Oxygen Delivery Devices
What is the maximum oxygen flow rate for a nasal cannula?
What is 5L/min?
What is the normal range for SpO2 in a healthy adult?
95%-100%
Why should you avoid petroleum-based products around oxygen therapy?
They can ignite easily
What is the priority intervention for a patient with a low SpO2 and altered mental status?
Apply high-flow oxygen and assess airway
What is the primary goal of oxygen therapy?
To prevent or treat hypoxia
Which oxygen delivery device is best suited for a patient who breathes through their mouth and requires more oxygen than 6L?
Simple face mask
Name two early signs of hypoxia
Restlessness, tachycardia, anxiety, pallor, confusion
True or False: Oxygen tanks should be stored upright and secured
True
Name a condition that can cause sudden hypoxia despite oxygen therapy
Pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax, airway obstruction
How often should a nurse assess a patient's skin when using a nasal cannula or face mask?
At least once a shift, or more frequently if signs of breakdown appear
What is the difference between a simple mask and a non-rebreather mask?
What is Non-rebreather has a reservoir bag and one-way valve to prevent room air from diluting the O2?
Why is it important to assess clubbing in a chronic lung disease patient?
It indicates long-term hypoxia
Why should oxygen use be limited in COPD patients?
Too much O2 can reduce their respiration drive
What breathing pattern is seen at end-stage respiratory failure?
Cheyne- Strokes breathing
What is important nursing considerations when a patient is on continuous oxygen therapy?
Monitor for skin irritation, ensure proper device fits, check for signs of oxygen toxicity, and assess for drying or mucous membranes
Which oxygen delivery devices provides the highest concentration of oxygen without intubation (choices are: nasal prongs, simple face mask, non-rebreather)?
Non- rebreather mask, up to 90% FiO2
Which lab value helps assess a patient's oxygen- carrying capacity?
Hemoglobin level
Why is it important to use humidifier with oxygen therapy at higher flow rates
High flow oxygen can dry out the nasal passages and airways, leading to irritation, nosebleeds and discomfort.
A patient with pneumonia is on oxygen but remain tachypneic. What interventions should you do?
Call RT; reposition; increase O2 to a face mask or non-rebreather
Before increasing a patient's oxygen flow rate, what should the nurse assess?
Respiratory status, SpO2, ABGs if available and the underlying cause of low oxygen levels
When should a high-flow nasal cannula be used over a standard nasal cannula?
When higher FiO2 and humidity are needed, such as in respiratory distress.
Why might COPD patient have a normal or near-normal SpO2 but still be at risk for inadequate oxygenation?
COPD patients may have chronic CO2 retention and rely on hypoxic drive to breathe. Pulse oximetry doesnt measure CO2 levels, so they may still be respiratory acidosis or inadequate gas exchange
What should be done if a patient's oxygen saturation drops despite increasing oxygen flow?
Assess for obstruction, reposition, check for equipment failure, call RT/CCOT
A COPD patient on 2L/min of oxygen becomes lethargic and has a rising CO2 level. What is the likely cause, what intervention is needed?
The patient may be experiencing CO2 retention due to oxygen induced hypoventilation. The intervention would be to call RT; remove O2; may be put on BiPap and transferred to ICU; monitoring ABGs, addressing the underlying cause
A post-op patient with no history of lung disease is on 4L/min oxygen via nasal cannula. Their SpO2 is 91% but report dizziness and tingling fingers. RR is 28. What is the cause
Oxygen therapy may have led to mild respiratory alkalosis due to hyperventilation. The nurse should assess for anxiety, pain, and other causes of rapid breathing