Oxygen administration is often assumed to be required for all patients who are acutely or critically ill. However, in many situations, this assumption is not based on evidence. Injured body tissues and cells throughout the body respond both beneficially and adversely to delivery of supplemental oxygen. Available evidence indicates that oxygen administration is not warranted for patients who are not hypoxemic, and hyperoxia may contribute to increased tissue damage and mortality. Nurses must be aware of implications related to oxygen administration for all types of acutely and critically ill patients. These implications include having knowledge of oxygenation processes and pathophysiology; assessing global, tissue, and organ oxygenation status; avoiding either hypoxia or hyperoxia; and creating partnerships with respiratory therapists. Nurses can contribute to patients’ oxygen status well-being by being proficient in determining each patient’s specific oxygen needs and appropriate oxygen administration.
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1 August 2017
Pulmonary Care|
August 01 2017
Oxygen Requirements for Acutely and Critically Ill Patients
Debra Siela, RN, PhD, CCNS, ACNS-BC, CCRN-K, CNE RRT;
Debra Siela is an associate professor, Ball State University School of Nursing, Muncie, Indiana.
Corresponding author: Debra Siela, rn, phd, ccns, acns-bc, ccrn-k, cne, rrt, Associate Professor, Ball State University School of Nursing, 2000 University Ave, Muncie, IN 47306 (email: [email protected]).
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Michelle Kidd, RN, MS, ACNS-BC, CCRN-K
Michelle Kidd, RN, MS, ACNS-BC, CCRN-K
Michelle Kidd is a critical care clinical nurse specialist, Indiana University Health, Ball Memorial Hospital, Muncie, Indiana.
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Crit Care Nurse (2017) 37 (4): 58–70.
Citation
Debra Siela, Michelle Kidd; Oxygen Requirements for Acutely and Critically Ill Patients. Crit Care Nurse 1 August 2017; 37 (4): 58–70. doi: https://doi.org/10.4037/ccn2017627
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