Oxygen

Question 1

What type of medication is Oxygen?

Answer 1

A natural colourless and odourless gas

Question 2

What is the action of oxygen?

Answer 2

It is an essential element for aerobic metabolic needs and sustaining life.

Question 3

What conditions are oxygen indicated for?

Answer 3

Patients with an SpO2% of 94% or less to maintain an SpO2% >94%.
The drive gas for the administration of nebulised medications.

Question 4

What are conditions that require specific SpO2% targets?

Answer 4

SpO2% of 94% - 98%:
Respiratory distress, Hypoxia, Acute Coronary Syndrome.
SpO2% of 88% - 92%:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
100% Oxygen delivery:
Cardiac/respiratory arrest, carbon monoxide poisoning, cyanide poisoning, diving emergencies, prolapsed umbilical cord.
100% Oxygen delivery via IPPV:
Cardiogenic Pulmonary Oedema.

Question 5

What are the contraindications of Oxygen?

Answer 5

Paraquat poisoning if SpO2% > 90% on room air.

Concurrent use with Methoxyflurane.

Question 6

What are the adverse effects of oxygen?

Answer 6

Increased risk of fire and explosion.

Question 7

What are the two sizes of oxygen cylinder available?

Answer 7

490L 100% medical oxygen.

1500L 100% medical oxygen.