oxygen therapy, any procedure in which oxygen is administered to a patient to relieve hypoxia. ▪ METHOD: Of the many methods for providing oxygen therapy, the one selected depends on the condition of the patient and the cause of hypoxia. Low or moderate amounts of oxygen may be supplied to postoperative patients by a nasal catheter or cannula. A precise amount of oxygen may be delivered by a Venturi mask. Patients with chronic obstructive lung disease must receive low-flow oxygen to prevent the elimination of their stimulus to breathe (low O2 levels). If hypoxia is the result of impaired cardiac function, a high concentration of oxygen may be delivered by a nonrebreathing or partial rebreathing mask. Humidity and drugs in aerosol form may be given with oxygen through a variety of devices, such as an aerosol face mask, Croupette, or T-piece. ▪ INTERVENTIONS: Thorough and careful observation of the patient’s need for oxygen and response to therapy are important. The concentration of oxygen received by the patient must not be assumed by the rate and concentration at which it is delivered; a person whose respirations are rapid and shallow receives more oxygen than does a person breathing deeply and slowly. Many clinical situations require frequent laboratory evaluations of the levels of arterial blood gases or oxygen saturation levels by means of pulse oximetry. Thorough knowledge of the equipment used and the condition being treated enables the health care professional to care safely and effectively for the patient who requires oxygen. ▪ OUTCOME CRITERIA: Oxygen therapy may be used in the treatment of any condition that results in hypoxia. Although there are several kinds of hypoxia, all result in hypoxemia. Oxygen administration may relieve hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, tachypnea, headache, disorientation, nausea, and agitation characteristic of hypoxia, as well as restore the ability of the cells of the body to carry on normal metabolic function.
