Nursing Practical Guideline: Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen Therapy:

Oxygen is a gas, which has no smell or colour and is heavier than air.

It is stored at high pressure in black and white cylinders.

With oxygen there is always a serious fire risk.

Smoking is not allowed anywhere nearby oxygen cylinder.

No open fire or any inflammable material should be kept near the oxygen cylinder.

Oil, grease or alcohol should never be used on the connections of the cylinder.

The cylinder is mounted on a stand for easy and should be tested before taking it to the bedside.

To test it open the cylinder with the key and then open the small valve very little and test the flow of oxygen from the cylinder into a bottle half filled with water (wolf bottle).

The bottle has a rubber cork with two holes tubes passing through it.

The cylinder is connected by means of rubber tubing to the longer tube.

Oxygen flows into the wolf bottle and then oxygen is given to the patient.

Reasons for oxygen therapy:

1.     For patients who are cyanosed, indicating shortage of oxygen into the blood

2. For patients with breathing difficulties such as in heart and lung disease.

3.     In cases of shock and circulatory failure.

4.     In cases of hemorrhage and air hunger.

5.     For newborn babies with asphyxia.

Nasal Catheter method:

a)     Explain to the patient and get his co-operation

b)    Bring the oxygen, cylinder to the bedside.

c)     Bring also a tray containing a small bowl of water, swabstciks, for lubricating and kidney tray adhesive tape and scissors

d)    Clean the nostril if necessary

e)     Attach the catheter to the tubing turn on the oxygen and adjust the flow, testing by putting the end of the catheter in the bowl of water where oxygen bubbles are seen.

f)      Lubricate the catheter and insert it gently along the floor of the nose for about 7 cm. It should lie in the pharynx.

g)     Fix the catheter to the cheek or forehead with adhesive tape.

h)    Check the oxygen flow and adjust to 4 - 6 litres per minute (40-60 bubbles) or as ordered by the doctor. Check the flow at intervals.

i)       A child may need to have the arms splinted.

j)       Record the time the oxygen therapy has begun and stopped

k)    Report to the doctor.

Mask method:

a) There are two kinds of masks the nasal type, which covers only the nose and the oro-nasal, which covers both the mouth and the nose.

b)The mask must fit the patient' s face the headband is adjusted and co-operation of the patients obtained.

c) The mask is removed at intervals for washing the patients face and for feeling fresh.

Oxygen Tent:

a) This apparatus is more expensive but disturbs the patient less.

b)    The tend may be strong transparent material with sleeves for nursing and feeding purposes.

c)     The sides of the tent are tucked in under the mattress to make the tent airtight.

d)    Oxygen from a cylinder is admitted into the tent and regulated.

e)     Used air is sucked out into a box containing calcium chloride, which absorbs the carbon dioxide.

f)      A radiator with ice keeps the tent cool.