Oxygen Therapy Health Article

Definition

Oxygen may be classified as an element, a gas, and a drug. Oxygen therapy is the administration of oxygen at concentrations greater than that in room air to treat or prevent hypoxia. Oxygen delivery systems are classified as stationary, portable, or ambulatory, and oxygen can be administered by mask, nasal cannula, and tent. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves placing the patient in an airtight chamber with oxygen under pressure.

Purpose

The body is constantly taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. If this process is inadequate, oxygen levels in the blood decrease, and the patient may need supplemental oxygen. Oxygen therapy is a key treatment in respiratory care. The purpose is to increase oxygen saturation in tissues where the saturation levels are too low due to illness or injury. Oxygen therapy is frequently ordered in the home care setting, as well as in acute care.

Some of the conditions that oxygen therapy is used for include:

• documented hypoxemia
• severe respiratory distress (e.g., acute asthma or pneumonia)
• severe trauma
• acute myocardial infarction
• short-term therapy, such as post-anesthesia recovery

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used in the following conditions:

• gas gangrene
• decompression sickness
• air embolism
• smoke inhalation
• carbon monoxide poisoning
• cerebral hypoxic event

Precautions

Oxygen supports combustion, therefore no open flame or products that are combustible should be permitted when oxygen is in use. These include petroleum jelly, oils, and aerosol sprays. A spark from a cigarette, electric razor, or other electrical device could easily ignite oxygen-saturated hair or bedclothes around the patient. Explosion-proof plugs should be used for vaporizers and humidifier attachments.

Care must be taken with oxygen equipment used in the home or hospital. Cylinders should be kept in carts, or have collars for safe storage. If not stored in a cart, smaller canisters may be lain on the floor. Knocking cylinders together can cause sparks, so bumping them should be avoided. In the home, the oxygen source must be placed at least 6 ft (1.8 m) away from flames or other sources of ignition, such as a lit cigarette. Oxygen tanks should be kept in a well–ventilated area. Oxygen tanks should not be kept in the trunk of a car. Use "No Smoking—Oxygen in Use" signs to warn visitors not to smoke near the patient.

Special care must be given when administering oxygen to premature infants, because of the danger of high oxygen levels causing retinopathy of prematurity or contributing to the construction of ductus arteriosis. PaO₂(partial pressure of oxygen) levels greater than 80 mm Hg should be avoided.

Patients who are undergoing a laser bronchoscopy should have concurrent administration of supplemental oxygen to avoid burns to the trachea.