TL;DR
Oxygen Therapy: Supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula (1-6 LPM) or non-rebreather mask (10-15 LPM).
Oxygen Therapy
Definition
Supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula (1-6 LPM) or non-rebreather mask (10-15 LPM).
Patient Communication
Communication about oxygen therapy in the prehospital setting includes: explaining procedures to the patient in simple terms, obtaining informed consent when possible (implied consent for unresponsive patients), providing a calm and reassuring presence, and delivering a structured handoff report (SBAR: Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) to the receiving facility.
Common Errors
Critical errors in prehospital application of oxygen therapy:
- Failing to reassess after intervention. Vital signs must be rechecked every 5 minutes for unstable patients
- Incorrect medication dosing. Always use length-based estimation (Broselow tape) for pediatric patients
- Tunnel vision on one finding while missing the complete clinical picture
- Not communicating changes to receiving facility during transport
Key Values & Ranges
Key values and ranges relevant to oxygen therapy in prehospital care:
| Parameter | Adult | Pediatric |
|---|---|---|
| GCS | 15 is normal, under 8 = severe TBI | modified pediatric GCS for preverbal |
| temperature | 97.8-99.1 F (36.5-37.3 C) | same range, rectal preferred under 2yo |
| respiratory rate | 12-20 breaths/min | 25-50 (infant), 15-30 (child) |
| blood pressure | 90/60-120/80 mmHg | 70+(2*age) systolic minimum |
| ETCO2 | 35-45 mmHg | 35-45 mmHg |
Exam Focus Areas
On the Nremt Emt, Nremt Paramedic exam(s), questions about oxygen therapy typically test:
- Correct medication selection, dosing, and route of administration
- Appropriate transport decisions and hospital notification criteria
- Assessment findings that differentiate between similar presentations
- Recognition of signs and symptoms requiring immediate intervention
Why It Matters
Delivery device selection and flow rates are core EMT exam topics.
Related Terms
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