Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen Therapy

1. Indications for O2

   • decrease cardiac workload
     • relieve symptoms of hypoxia (chronic/acute)
       • decrease work of breathing (WOB)

2. Complications of O2

   • fire hazard
     • supports combustion
   • O2 toxicity (pt generally receive high FiO2 * >60%*
     • Signs
       • N/V
       • Tachypena
       • chest pain/tightness
       • Refractory hypoxemia- 100% Os & still hypoxic- cannot be fixed
       • decrease in surfactant
       • decreased compliance (expansion)
       • pulmonary edema
   • ROP- Retinopathy of Prematurity- causes blindness in premis
   • O2 induced hypoventilation- pt who lives on hypoxic drive (COPD)
     • signs
       • decraesd RR $ VT
         • high PaO2, high PCO2, low pH
           • pt lethargic, sleepy, confused

3. Signs of hypoxia

   • Tachycardia *primary sign*
     • pulmonary vasoconstricton- shunting
       • peripheral vasodilation- pt is warm to touch