Hypoxemia, Hypoxia & Techniques to Improve Oxygenation - Fundamentals of Nursing |@LevelUpRN

Summary

In this educational video, Meris discusses hypoxemia and hypoxia, detailing the importance of arterial blood gas tests for diagnosis and the distinction between low blood oxygen and tissue oxygen deficiency. She emphasizes early and late signs of oxygen deprivation and the risk of oxygen toxicity, especially in patients on high oxygen therapy. Meris also highlights various techniques to improve oxygenation, such as deep breathing, coughing exercises, and incentive spirometry, stressing their significance in nursing practice and patient care.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hypoxemia refers to low oxygen levels in the arterial blood and requires an arterial blood gas (ABG) test for diagnosis.
• 😎 Hypoxia is the decreased availability of oxygen in the tissues and is distinct from hypoxemia, which is blood-specific.
• 👨‍⚕️ Ventilation, diffusion, and perfusion are the three key processes for gas exchange in the respiratory system.
• 🔍 Early signs of decreased oxygenation include restlessness, irritability, and anxiety, while late signs involve changes in consciousness and cyanosis.
• 🌡️ Oxygen toxicity is a risk when patients receive high levels of supplemental oxygen, such as 100% oxygen therapy.
• 💊 To prevent oxygen toxicity, use the lowest effective flow rate of oxygen for patients.
• 🧘 High Fowler's position is beneficial for oxygenation in conscious patients, while prone positioning can help in severe cases like ARDS.
• 🏋️‍♀️ Techniques to improve oxygenation include deep breathing, coughing, positioning, and the use of incentive spirometry.
• 📚 Educating patients on the importance of deep breathing and coughing exercises can help prevent atelectasis and improve blood flow.
• 📈 Incentive spirometry involves controlled deep breathing exercises using a device to expand the lungs and should be done frequently.
• 📺 Patients are encouraged to use incentive spirometry regularly, such as during commercial breaks while watching TV.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is hypoxemia, hypoxia, and techniques to improve oxygenation in the context of nursing practice.

What are the three key processes in the respiratory system mentioned in the script?

The three key processes mentioned are ventilation, diffusion, and perfusion.

What does hypoxemia specifically refer to?

Hypoxemia refers to low oxygen levels specifically in the arterial blood, and it requires an arterial blood gas (ABG) test for diagnosis.

How is hypoxia different from hypoxemia?

Hypoxia refers to decreased oxygen in the tissues, which is a condition of oxygen deficiency at the tissue level, whereas hypoxemia is specifically about low oxygen levels in the arterial blood.

What are the early signs of decreased oxygenation mentioned in the script?

The early signs of decreased oxygenation include restlessness, irritability, and anxiety.

What is the importance of using the lowest flow rate of oxygen for patients?

Using the lowest flow rate of oxygen is important to avoid putting patients at risk for oxygen toxicity, which can occur when they receive above-normal percentages of oxygen.

What is the best position to improve oxygenation in a conscious patient according to the script?

The High Fowler's position is the best to improve oxygenation in a conscious patient.

What is prone positioning useful for in patients with severe respiratory conditions?

Prone positioning can be useful in inflating the posterior lower lobes of the lung in patients with severe conditions like ARDS.

What is the purpose of deep breathing and coughing exercises for patients?

Deep breathing and coughing exercises are used to prevent atelectasis by inflating the alveoli and to promote blood flow from the extremities back to the heart to prevent DVT.

What is an incentive spirometer and how is it used?

An incentive spirometer is a device that helps to inflate the lungs through controlled deep-breathing exercises. Patients are instructed to breathe in, not blow, and use it about 10 times an hour while awake.

What is the next topic to be covered in the video series?

The next topic in the video series will be on oxygen delivery devices, oxygenation interventions, and suctioning.