Delivering oxygen therapy to acutely breathless adults.
Oxygen is a chemical element making up approximately 21% of the atmosphere. It is essential in enabling the body to carry out the metabolic processes required to sustain life. Clinically, it should be considered as a medication that should be used with the same caution extended to all pharmaceutical interventions. The aim of this article is to highlight the role of oxygen in correcting acute respiratory failure in adults and to discuss safe and effective delivery.
Henderson
Yvonne
Y
Management of Cardiorespiratory Symptoms, Education for Health, Warwick. y.henderson@educationforhealth.org.uk
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006935:Hypercapnia / Q000209:etiology; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012449:Safety; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome