How to Administer Oxygen Therapy
When an individual is having trouble breathing, he may not be getting enough oxygen into his lungs and to the needed organs. Administering supplemental oxygen therapy can help. Oxygen therapy can be an extremely vital therapy during some situations. Without enough oxygen to organs like the heart or brain, serious damage and eventually death can occur. Oxygen can be administered in a hospital or prescribed and administered at home.
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Instructions
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Follow the doctor's prescription. Oxygen is considered a drug, and the order to administer it must be written by a medical doctor. The physician will need to indicate the amount of oxygen to be given. Oxygen is measured in liters per minute.
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Select an appropriate device for the patient to use to receive the oxygen therapy. Oxygen is usually delivered to a patient via a mask or a nasal cannula. A nasal cannula should be used if the prescription is for 6 liters per minute or less of oxygen. A mask can deliver 5 to 15 liters of oxygen per minute.
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Hook up the delivery device to the oxygen source. Oxygen source devices include cylinders and tanks for home use. Hospitals have wall units from which oxygen flows out. Oxygen sources for both home use and hospital use have flow meters or regulators where you turn the oxygen on. Turn the flow meter to the number that corresponds to the number of liters per minute of oxygen that has been prescribed
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Place the nasal prongs of the nasal cannula into the patient's nose. The prongs should point downward. If you're using a mask, place it over the patient's nose and mouth. When administering oxygen to a child, use a pediatric mask or nasal cannula that is sized to fit a child, usually one 12 twelve years old. It may also be used on petite adults.
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Consider adding humidification. Oxygen can be very drying to the nose. Humidification can be added to help prevent drying. Special humidification bottles of water can be attached to the oxygen source. The oxygen flows through the water and moistens it. If you are using oxygen at home, never use regular tap water for humidification: This can lead to an infection. Sterile water must be used, especially for oxygen applications.
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Tips & Warnings
Follow all safety precautions when using oxygen. Since oxygen is flammable, don't smoke when using it. Keep the oxygen source away from flames of any kind. If you are administering oxygen at home, consult your doctor before changing the liter flow per minute.
