What is the typical oxygen delivery rate when a patient is given humidified oxygen through a nasal catheter?

From the Guidelines

The oxygen delivery rate through a nasal catheter is 2-6 L/min, as recommended by the BTS guideline for oxygen use in adults in healthcare and emergency settings 1. When a patient develops constricting chest pain during a procedure, the nurse should stop the procedure and call a doctor. For long-term oxygen therapy via nasal catheter, a break should be taken after 1-1.5 hours, as there is no specific evidence-based recommendation for the exact duration, but this timeframe is generally considered safe to prevent complications such as nasal dryness and irritation. Oxygen therapy with defoamers is indicated for pulmonary edema, with 70% ethyl alcohol used as the defoamer, although the evidence for this is not strong 1. Hemoptysis is a contraindication to inhalation therapy. For a general therapeutic bath, patients should be immersed in water up to the xiphoid process. Inhalation using a steam inhaler should be done 1-1.5 hours after eating. When using a pocket inhaler, the patient should cover the mouthpiece tightly with lips, take a deep breath while pressing the bottom of the inhaler. Nasal catheters should be switched between nostrils every 1-1.5 hours. An oxygen concentration of 30% in the oxygen-air mixture eliminates tissue hypoxia. If a patient develops nasal irritation during oxygen therapy, the nurse should temporarily stop oxygen administration and apply oil drops to the nose. When administering oxygen via mask, the error would be pressing the mask tightly against the patient's mouth. For an asthma attack unresponsive to multiple inhaler uses, the nurse should call the doctor. The error in pocket inhaler use is that the patient should take a deep breath in (not out) while pressing the bottom. Oxygen cylinders maintain pressure at 150 atm. Pulse oximetry is the most common non-invasive way to measure oxygenation. For a patient with an asthma attack, the nurse should use a pocket inhaler with Salbutamol. Water in a thermal inhaler should be heated to 50°C. If a patient becomes pale with headache and tachycardia during a warm bath, the nurse should urgently stop the procedure and call a doctor.

Some key points to consider:

• The BTS guideline recommends the use of humidified oxygen for patients who require high-flow oxygen systems for more than 24 hours or who report upper airway discomfort due to dryness 1.
• The guideline also recommends the use of a large volume oxygen humidifier device for patients requiring high-flow rates or longer term oxygen, especially if sputum retention is a clinical problem 1.
• Nasal cannulae are preferred over simple face masks for medium-concentration oxygen therapy, and the flow rate should be adjusted between 2 and 6 L/min to achieve the desired target saturation 1.

From the Research

Oxygen Delivery Rate

• The oxygen delivery rate for a patient given humidified oxygen through a nasal catheter can vary, but common rates include:
  • 1-2 L/min for low-flow oxygen therapy
  • 2-3 L/min for standard oxygen therapy
  • 4-6 L/min for moderate-flow oxygen therapy
  • 5-8 L/min for high-flow oxygen therapy No specific study is cited to support the exact rate, as the provided studies focus on high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy rather than standard nasal catheter oxygen therapy.

Procedure Interruption

• If a patient develops constricting pains in the region of the heart, palpitations during a procedure, the nurse should:
  • Stop the procedure and call a doctor, as this is a sign of potential cardiac distress 2, 3.

Break Period for Nasal Catheter Oxygen Therapy

• The need for a break period during long-term nasal catheter oxygen therapy is not explicitly stated in the provided studies, but it is generally recommended to:
  • Take breaks every 1-2 hours to assess the patient's condition and prevent complications such as nasal dryness or irritation.

Indications for Oxygen Therapy with Defoamers

• Oxygen therapy combined with inhalation of defoamers is indicated for:
  • Respiratory failure
  • Pulmonary edema
  • Asthma attack
  • Other conditions where defoamers can help reduce surface tension in the lungs and improve oxygenation 2, 3.

Defoamer Used in Oxygen Therapy

• The type of defoamer used in oxygen therapy is not specified in the provided studies, but common defoamers include:
  • 70% ethyl alcohol
  • 96% ethyl alcohol No specific study is cited to support the exact type of defoamer used.

Contraindications to Inhalation Therapy

• Contraindications to inhalation therapy include:
  • Hemoptysis
  • Shortness of breath
  • "Whizzing" breath
  • Other conditions where inhalation therapy may worsen the patient's condition 2, 3.

Immersion Level for General Therapeutic Bath

• The recommended immersion level for a general therapeutic bath is:
  • Up to the level of the heart area
  • Up to the xiphoid process No specific study is cited to support the exact immersion level.

Timing of Inhalation Therapy

• Inhalation therapy using a steam inhaler should be performed:
  • 1-1.5 hours after eating
  • When the patient is in a comfortable position and able to inhale deeply.

Pocket Inhaler Use

• When using a pocket inhaler, the patient should:
  • Cover the mouthpiece tightly with their lips
  • Take a deep breath in through the mouthpiece
  • Press the bottom of the inhaler to release the medication No specific study is cited to support the exact technique.

Nasal Catheter Position Change

• The position of the nasal catheter should be changed:
  • Every 1-2 hours to prevent nasal irritation and promote comfort No specific study is cited to support the exact frequency of position change.

Oxygen Content to Eliminate Tissue Hypoxia

• The oxygen content in the oxygen-air mixture that eliminates tissue hypoxia is:
  • 50% or higher No specific study is cited to support the exact oxygen content.

Irritation in the Nose and Nasopharynx

• If a patient develops irritation in the nose and nasopharynx during oxygen therapy, the nurse should:
  • Temporarily stop the oxygen therapy and apply oil drops to the nose to soothe the irritation.

Mistake in Nurse's Actions

• A mistake in the nurse's actions when giving oxygen therapy using a mask is:
  • Failing to monitor the patient's breathing and adjust the oxygen flow as needed.

Asthma Attack

• If a patient complains of an asthma attack and has not improved after using a pocket inhaler, the nurse should:
  • Call a doctor for further instructions and potential administration of additional medication.

Error in Pocket Inhaler Algorithm

• An error in the algorithm of actions when using a pocket inhaler is:
  • Failing to shake the inhaler before use
  • Failing to have the patient take a deep breath in through the mouthpiece.

Oxygen Pressure in Cylinders

• The oxygen pressure in cylinders is:
  • 2000 psi (pounds per square inch) or 137 bar (standard pressure for oxygen cylinders) No specific study is cited to support the exact pressure.

Measuring Patient Oxygenation

• The most common and non-invasive way to measure a patient's oxygenation is:
  • Pulse oximeter No specific study is cited to support the exact method.

Bronchial Asthma Treatment

• If a patient with bronchial asthma is experiencing an asthma attack, the nurse should:
  • Use a pocket inhaler with a medication such as salbutamol
  • Call a doctor for further instructions and potential administration of additional medication.

Thermal Inhaler Water Temperature

• The water temperature for a thermal inhaler should be:
  • 40-50°C (comfortable temperature for inhalation) No specific study is cited to support the exact temperature.

General Therapeutic Warm Bath Complications

• If a patient experiences complications such as pale skin, headache, heartache, and dizziness during a general therapeutic warm bath, the nurse should:
  • Urgently stop the procedure and call a doctor
  • Lower the bath temperature to prevent further complications.