NATIONAL
CALIFORNIA
VENTURA
policies
Indicated in all BLS protocols
category
mechanism
- Oxidizes glucose to provide cellular energy
- Essential for aerobic metabolism
indications
- Hypoxia
contraindications
- None
dosing
maintain a Sp02 of 94% to 99%
administration
inhaled
onset
1-2 minutes
duration
up to 30 minutes
notes
- COPD: Never withhold oxygen from a patient in respiratory distress. Use caution with COPD patients who have a chief complaint other than respiratory distress.
- Avoid hyperoxia: Current guidelines recommend supplemental oxygen to maintain a Sp02 of 94% to 99%.
- Oxygen delivery systems:
System Flow rate % oxygen delivered Blow by 10 L/min < 30% Low flow nasal cannula 1 to 4 L/min 25 to 40% Simple mask 10-15 L/min 35 to 50% Nonrebreather mask 10-15 L/min 65 to 95% BVM with reservoir 15 L/min 95 to 100% ET with BVM 15 L/min 100%
dosage form
≥99% compressed gas
adverse reactions
- Hypoventilation
- Oxygen-induced hypoventilation is the greatest potential hazard of oxygen therapy. In patients with severe COPD, the respiratory drive results from hypoxic stimulation of the carotid chemoreceptors. If this hypoxic drive is diminished by excessive oxygen therapy, hypoventilation may occur and further carbon dioxide retention with possible cessation of ventilation.
structure
