Oxygen therapy – is the administration of oxygen as a therapeutic

modality. It is prescribed by the physician, who specifies the concentration,

method of delivery, and liter flow per minute.

Benefits of Oxygen Therapy:

Additional Benefits of Oxygen Therapy:

• Increased clarity
• Relieves nausea
• Can prevent heart failure in people with severe lung disease
• Allows the bodies organs to carry out normal functions

Long-Term Benefits of Oxygen Therapy:

• Prolongs life by reducing heart strain

• Decreases shortness of breath
• Makes exercise more tolerable
• Results in fewer days of hospitalization

Oxygen Delivery Systems

1. Nasal Cannula

• Also called nasal prongs.

• Is the most common inexpensive device used to
administer oxygen.
• It is easy to apply and does not interfere with the
client’s ability to eat or talk.
• It delivers a relatively low concentration of oxygen
which is 24% to 45% at flow rates of 2 to 6 liters
per minute.

2. Face Mask

• It covers the client’s nose and mouth may be used for oxygen
inhalation.
• Exhalation ports on the sides of the mask allow exhaled carbon dioxide
to escape.

Types of Face Masks:

1. Simple Face Mask - Delivers oxygen concentrations from

40% to 60% at liter flows of 5 to 8 liters per minute, respectively.
2. Partial Rebreather Mask – Delivers oxygen
concentration of 60% to 90% at liter flows of 6 to 10 liters per
minute, respectively.
3. Non Rebreather Mask – Delivers the highest oxygen
concentration possible 95% to 100% – by means other than
intubation or mechanical ventilation, at liter flows of 10 to 15
liters per minute.
4. Venturi Mask – Delivers oxygen concentrations varying
from 24% to 40% or 50% at liter flows of 4 to 10 liters per
minute.

3. Face Tent
 • It can replace oxygen masks when masks are poorly tolerated by
clients.
• It provide varying concentrations of oxygen such as 30% to 50%
concentration of oxygen at 4 to 8 liters per minute.

4. Transtracheal Oxygen Delivery

• It may be used for oxygen-dependent clients.

• The client requires less oxygen (0.5 to 2 liters per minute) because all
of the low delivered enters the lungs.

Oxygen Therapy Safety Precautions:

1. For home oxygen use or when the facility permits smoking, teach
family members and roommates to smoke only outside or in provided
smoking rooms away from the client.
2. Place cautionary signs reading “No Smoking: Oxygen in use” on the
clients door, at the foot or head of the bed, and on the oxygen
equipment.
3. Instruct the client and visitors about the hazard of smoking with
oxygen use.
4. Make sure that electric devices (such as razors, hearing aids, radios,
televisions, and hearing pads) are in good working order to prevent the
occurrence of short-circuit sparks.
5. Avoids materials that generate static electricity, such as woolen
blankets and synthetic fabrics. Cotton blankets should be used , and
client and caregivers should be advised to wear cotton fabrics.
6. Avoid the use of volatile, flammable materials such as oils, greases,
alcohol, ether, and acetone(e.g. nail polish remover), near clients
receiving oxygen.
7. Ground electric monitoring equipment, suction machines and portable
diagnostic machines.
8. Make known the location of the fire extinguishers, and make sure
personnel are trained in their use.

REFERENCE: http://nursingcrib.com/oxygen-therapy/