OXYGEN ADMINISTRATION.

Compiled byFrancis K. Antwi

ADMINISTRATION.

COMPILED BY:Francis K. Antwiakwaci25@hotmail.com

INTRODUCTION.• Oxygen is a gas found in air and has no colour, smell or

taste and very necessary for life.• Oxygen has the symbol O and atomic number eight (8).• Oxygen makes up 21% of the atmosphere by volume.• Oxygen is obtained by two (2) methods, that is by distillation

of liquid air and by passing a clean dry air through a zeolite that absorbs nitrogen and leaves the oxygen.

• Oxygen is used in industries, water treatment and as a therapy.

DEFINITION.

Oxygen administration is the process by which supplemented oxygen is administered in high concentration than that of atmospheric air.

SOURCES OF OXYGEN IN HOSPITALS.

Therapeutic oxygen is available from two sources:1. Wall outlets.2. Oxygen cylinders.• Stationary• Portable, mobile or ambulatory.

PURPOSE OF OXYGEN ADMINISTRATION.

To relieve dyspnea.To prevent hypoxemia (low level of oxygen in the

blood) and hypoxia (low level of oxygen in cells).To increase oxygenation in tissues.

INDICATIONS FOR OXYGEN ADMINISTRATION.

• Severe respiratory distress (e.g. acute asthma and pneumonia.)

• Intra and post operatively• Hypoxia and hypoxemia• Shock• Severe trauma• Acute myocardial infraction (heart attack)

PRECAUTIONS FOR OXYGEN ADMINISTRATION.

• Avoid naked flames near oxygen cylinder.• Put a No Smoking sign at the entrance of the ward and near patient

bed to warn others.• Do not use oil on the oxygen cylinder. Oil can ignite if exposed to

oxygen.• Do not use electrical gadgets or any article which can cause

sparks near oxygen cylinder.• Do not give oxygen to a hyperventilated patient.

PRECAUTIONS CONTINUES.• Keep oxygen cylinders in a dry and cool place• Mark oxygen cylinder to indicate whether full or empty.• Use only carriers with wheel to transport oxygen cylinder,

do not roll the oxygen cylinder.• Oxygen must only be administered at the rate and

percentage prescribed.• Do not adjust flow meter until instructed.• Encourage or assist patient to move about in bed to prevent

hypostatic pneumonia or circulatory difficulties.

ARTICLES/EQUIPMENTS NEEDED FOR OXYGEN ADMINISTRATION.

• Oxygen source: wall outlets or oxygen cylinder.

• Flow meter.• Humidifier filled with sterile

water.• Oxygen tubing.• Nasal catheter or Mask.• Gallipot with cotton swabs.• Water soluble lubricant.

• Bowl containing water.• Oxygen precaution sign.

PART OF OXYGEN CYLINDER.

Oxygen cylinders.Flow meter

Flow adjuster

Oxygen output

Humidifying bottleOxygen input pipe

Pressure gauge

Oxygen input plug

Pressure adjuster

PARTS CONTINUES.

Oxygen mask. Nasal cannula.Oxygen stand /transporter

METHODS OF OXYGEN ADMINISTRATION.

There are many ways of administering oxygen to patients but the most common ones are: By mask.By nasal cannula.

OXYGEN ADMINISTRATION BY MASK.

REQUIREMENTS.• Oxygen source.• Oxygen tubing.• Oxygen Mask.• Bowl containing water.• Gallipot with cotton swabs.• Oxygen precaution sign.• Gloves.

PROCEDURE.Check doctors order including the date, time and flow rate Explain purpose and procedure to patient to gain his/her

cooperation and to allay fear/anxiety.Observe safety precautions in giving oxygen and let the

patient, other patients and visitors know the dangers involved.Wash hands and dry.Assemble the equipments.Make patient comfortable in bed.

PROCEDURE CONTINUES.Attach the flow meter with humidifier filled with 1/3 of water and

pressure gauge to the threaded outlet of the oxygen cylinder.Connect the tubing from the mask to the outlet on the humidifier.Turn on the key on the oxygen cylinder and put the end of tubing in

the bowl of water to test for the flow of oxygen.Apply the mask over patients nose and mouth and adjust the elastic

strap over clients head to keep the mask in position.Use gauze or cotton swab to reduce irritation caused by the elastic

strap especially on patients scalp and ears.Regulate flow meter as prescribed e.g. 2-3 litres/minute in adults and

half-2 litres in children.

PROCEDURE CONTINUES.Stand by to observe the flow of oxygen for some time before leaving

patients bed side.Document the procedure and wash hands.Regularly check on patient for any abnormalities.Regularly check the flow meter and gauge for the amount of oxygen

in the cylinder and the water level in the humidifier.Remove mask from patient when he/she is better.Turn off oxygen and make patient comfortable in bed.Record and report any abnormalities.

OXYGEN ADMINISTRATION BY NASAL CANNULA.

REQUIREMENTS.• Oxygen source.• Oxygen tubing.• Nasal cannula Mask.• Bowl containing water.• Gallipot with cotton swabs.• Oxygen precaution sign.• Gloves.

PROCEDURE.Check doctors order including the date, time, flow rate and

method.Explain purpose and procedure to patient to gain his/her

cooperation and to allay fear/anxiety.Observe safety precautions in giving oxygen and let the

patient, other patients and visitors know the dangers involved.Wash hands and dry.Assemble the equipments.Make patient comfortable in bed.

PROCEDURE CONTINUES.Attach the flow meter with humidifier filled with 1/3 of water and

pressure gauge to the threaded outlet of the oxygen cylinder.Connect the tubing from the nasal cannula to the outlet on the

humidifier.Turn on the key on the oxygen cylinder and put the end of tubing in

the bowl of water to test for the flow of oxygen.Clean patient nostrils and place cannula in patients nostrils, send the

tubing over patients head and adjust it behind patients head/ears.Encourage patient to breath through the nose and exhale through the

mouth to trap more oxygen into the trachea, which is less likely to be exhaled through the mouth.

PROCEDURE CONTINUES.Regulate flow meter as prescribed e.g. 2-3 litres/minute in adults and

half-2 litres in children. Stand by to observe the flow of oxygen for some time before leaving

patients bed side.Document the procedure and wash hands.Regularly check on patient for any abnormalities, especially the nares

for irritations in an interval of four (4) hours.Regularly check the flow meter and gauge for the amount of oxygen

in the cylinder and the water level in the humidifier.

PROCEDURE CONTINUES.Remove nasal cannula from patient when he/she is better.Turn off oxygen and make patient comfortable in bed.Record and report any abnormalities.

CLEANING THE CANNULA AND MASK.

After each use, the oxygen cannula and mask must be cleaned by:• Soaking the cannula or mask in a soapy water or savilon for an

hour.• Dry it properly.• Clean the tip of the cannula with a spirit swab. With the mask ,

clean the interior before reapplying it to a patient.

NASAL CANNULA.

ADVANTAGES• Patients are able to talk, eat and

drink with oxygen in place.• Patients can vomit and let oral

secretion out easily without any interruption in oxygen delivery.

• It delivers low concentration of oxygen.

DISADVANTAGES• It can easily dislodge from patient

nostrils.• It causes irritation in the nostrils.• It causes dryness in the nostrils.

MASK.ADVANTAGES• It delivers high concentration of

oxygen.• Its quick and easy to apply.

DISADVANTAGES• It must be removed while talking,

eating, vomiting and drinking. • It obstruct coughing.• It blocks vomitus in unconscious

patients.• Carbon dioxide may build up in the

mask.• It causes skin irritation.• Aspiration of vomitus is likely when

mask is in place.

SIDE EFFECTS OF OXYGEN ADMINISTRATION.

• Oxygen toxicity.• Drying of the mucus membrane.• Infection.

By : akwaci25