Oxygen Therapy- Low Flow Flashcards
(35 cards)
What is the primary goal of Oxygen Therapy?
Maintain adequate tissue oxygenation and decrease cardiopulmonary work.
Define cyanosis.
Abnormal bluish discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes.
How can cyanosis be confirmed?
Blood levels or oximetry can confirm.
What is peripheral cyanosis?
Occurs when there is increased oxygen uptake in peripheral tissues; it is not associated with arterial desaturation.
What is central cyanosis?
Associated with arterial desaturation and involves the skin, mucous membranes, lips, tongue, and nail beds.
List symptoms of mild hypoxia/hypoxemia.
- Tachypnea
- Tachycardia
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Confusion
- Bluish color in skin, fingernails, lips.
What are early stage symptoms of severe hypoxia/hypoxemia?
- Changes in skin color (blue to cherry red)
- Confusion
- Cough
- Fast heart rate
- Rapid breathing.
List later stage symptoms of severe hypoxia/hypoxemia.
- Sweating
- Severe shortness of breath
- Bradypnea
- Bradycardia
- Lethargy.
What chronic response occurs due to hypoxia?
Pulmonary vasoconstriction and pulmonary hypertension, increasing the workload on the right side of the heart.
What condition can lead to right ventricular failure?
Pulmonary hypertension due to chronic hypoxia.
What are some conditions for medical oxygen use?
- Anesthesia
- COPD
- Cyanosis
- Shock
- Severe hemorrhage
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Major trauma
- Cardiac/respiratory arrest.
Fill in the blank: _______ can reverse pulmonary hypertension from chronic hypoxia.
O2
What is the primary use of a nasal catheter?
Short-term O2 administration during specialized procedures such as bronchoscopy and surgery.
What flow rates are used for nasal catheters?
¼ to 6 L/min.
What FiO2 range does a nasal catheter deliver?
0.22 to 0.45.
How often should a nasal catheter be replaced?
At least every 8 hours.
What is a key feature of a Salter High Flow Nasal Cannula?
It has a flowmeter that measures in Liters/Minute.
What flow rates are used with low-flow nasal cannulas?
1/4 of a liter to 6 L/min.
What is the FiO2 range delivered by a nasal cannula?
22 to 45%.
Fill in the blank: Every increase of 1 Liter of flow raises the FiO2 by approximately ______.
4%.
List some advantages of nasal cannulas.
- Can be used on adults, children, infants
- Easy to apply
- Disposable
- Low cost
- Well tolerated at flows under 6 L/min.
List some disadvantages of nasal cannulas.
- Unstable FiO2s
- Easily dislodged
- Flows greater than 6 L/min may be uncomfortable
- Can cause nose dryness or bleeding
- Polys or deviated septum can block flow.
What are the best uses for a nasal cannula?
- Stable patients needing low FiO2s
- Home care patients requiring long-term oxygen therapy.
