Oxygenation - Oxygen therapy: Nursing skills

Oxygen therapy is the delivery of extra oxygen to those with conditions that cause hypoxia, which is when there is not enough oxygen to meet the needs of the body. This includes clients with various diseases that interfere with the lungs’ ability to properly absorb oxygen from the inhaled air, like pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and sleep apnea; blood problems, like anemia, where the blood doesn't carry enough oxygen; and heart problems, like heart failure, where the heart has trouble pumping blood around the body. Now, oxygen is considered a medication, so as a nurse, you will administer oxygen based upon an order from a healthcare provider. Additionally, you will monitor and provide care for clients receiving oxygen therapy.

An oxygen setup consists of an oxygen source and a delivery device. There are several sources for oxygen therapy, including a wall outlet, an oxygen tank, a liquid oxygen system, and an oxygen concentrator. With a wall outlet, oxygen is delivered into each client’s room from a central supply. Next, an oxygen tank is filled with oxygen under pressure and is typically portable, so it can be carried along as the client moves. However, this should be moved very carefully; if the tank tips over and the valve breaks open, pressurized oxygen can burst out forcefully and result in severe trauma. Oxygen tanks also have a gauge that shows how much oxygen is left. There are also liquid oxygen systems that consist of a portable component, which can be worn over the shoulder. The portable component needs to be filled by a large reservoir that is kept at home. Finally, oxygen concentrators pull in air from the atmosphere and selectively remove nitrogen to deliver 100% oxygen. These devices need a power supply and are very easy to use because they have an on-off switch. They are usually preferred at home or in healthcare facilities for clients who only need oxygen therapy every now and then rather than on a regular basis.

All oxygen sources are attached to a flow meter that indicates the flow rate, or the liters of oxygen administered per minute. This usually falls somewhere between 1 and 15 liters per minute.