Heliox Basics
INDICATIONS
EQUIPMENT
MONITORING
FINAL FACTS
100

This gas mixture is made of helium and oxygen.

What is Heliox?

100

Heliox is commonly used during this respiratory emergency.

What is severe asthma?

100

This cylinder contains the premixed helium-oxygen gas.

What is a Heliox cylinder?

100

This oxygen measurement should remain within the desired range.

What is SpO₂?

100

Heliox reduces this in the airways.

What is airway resistance?

200

Helium is less ______ than nitrogen and air.

What is dense?

200

Heliox may improve airflow during this chronic lung disease exacerbation.

What is COPD exacerbation?

200

This controls pressure and flow.

What are the regulator and flowmeter?

200

These blood tests evaluate oxygenation and ventilation.

What are ABGs?

200

One major limitation is that Heliox provides only this kind of support.

What is temporary support?

300

Name one common Heliox mixture.

What is 80/20 or 70/30?

300

Swelling after extubation causing noisy breathing is called this.

What is post-extubation stridor?

300

Name one delivery device for Heliox.

What is a non-rebreather mask, high-flow device, or ET tube?

300

Listening for reduced wheezing or stridor assesses these.

What are breath sounds?

300

Heliox should not be used when patients require this.

What is high FiO₂/high oxygen requirements?

400

This type of airflow allows gas to move more smoothly through narrowed airways.

What is laminar flow?

400

Heliox can be used with these patients if airway resistance is very high.

Who are mechanically ventilated patients?

400

This special ventilator setting compensates for helium's low density.

What is Heliox mode (or compensation mode)?

400

Monitoring this helps determine if work of breathing is improving.

What is respiratory rate and effort?

400

Name one possible complication of Heliox therapy.

What is airway dryness, patient discomfort, equipment malfunction, or progression of disease?

500

True or False: Heliox treats the underlying disease.

What is False?

500

Heliox is indicated for patients with this airway problem.

What is severe airway obstruction? 

500

These measurements must be monitored because helium affects ventilator readings.

What are tidal volume and airway pressures? 

500

Besides SpO₂, this ventilator parameter ensures correct delivery.

What are tidal volume and airway pressures? 

500

Name one reason Heliox therapy should be discontinued.

What is improved breathing, higher oxygen requirements, or no clinical improvement?