Oxygen Administration

R/C MERT Medic Assistant Lesson V

Objectives Be able to correctly explain:

Oxygen tank safety Oxygen tank anatomy The pin system Flow rate on regulator

Be able to perform the following tasks: Regulator removal and placement Turn the oxygen tank On and Off

Check pressure and bleed Apply an NRB to the tank

Oxygen Tank Safety The oxygen tank is a heavy piece of

equipment and can cause serious damage to the user or patient if dropped

The cylinder outlet is narrow and weak, if it snaps the oxygen tank will become a torpedo

More like the air tank in the movie Gone in 60 Seconds, but you get the idea.

Oxygen Tank Safety Cont. Oxygen is a combustible gas and will explode

if exposed to excess heat NASA uses oxygen as a fuel source for their

rockets The oxygen is under high pressure and can

damage the regulator of the tank if exposed to this pressure for an extended period of time, without the exit of the oxygen This just means to make sure that when the tank

is off, no pressurized oxygen is left in the regulator

Oxygen Tank Safety Cont. Take the proper precautions with the oxygen

tank Keep the tank on the ground and on it’s side Do not leave the tank unattended Do not drop the tank Do not keep the tank in excess heart or use near

an open flam (cigarette) Bleed the regulator after every use (discussed

later)

Anatomy of the Oxygen Tank

Oxygen Tank

Cylinder OutletPressure Gauge

Flow Meter

Oxygen Outlet

Main Valve

Main Valve KeyRegulator

The Pin System Technique implemented to ensure that only medicinal

oxygen is used when oxygen is administered to patients A regulator has a series of protruding pins that are in a

configuration only associated with that particular regulator The cylinder outlet has a series of pin inlets that will only

allow the regulator designed for that tank to be fitted properly Like a puzzle

This ensures that a tank for medicinal oxygen receives a regulator for medicinal oxygen, and a that a tank for helium or some other gas can’t be accidentally attached to a medicinal oxygen regulator

Medicinal Oxygen Pin System

Oxygen Tank

Regulator

Pins

Oxygen Outlet/Inlet

Regulator Flow Rate Component of the regulator that determines the

rate that oxygen leaves the tank Determines amount of oxygen going to the patient

The numbers indicate the rate in Liters/Minute NRB: 12-15 Lit/Min Nasal Cannula: 1-6 Lit/Min BVM: 12-15 Lit/Min

Flow Meter

Regulator Removal To remove the regulator, ensure that the

oxygen is turned off and that there is no residual pressure in the regulator

Twist the regulator attachment screw counter clockwise until loose – not all the way out

Pull the regulator pins out from the cylinder outlet, and lift the regulator up off the tank

Regulator Placement Slide the regulator back onto the cylinder outlet of

the tank Align the pins of the regulator up with the inlets of

the cylinder outlet Push the regulator pins in the outlet Tighten the regulator screw (clockwise) into the

cylinder outet – do not over tighten Ensure that a good seal has been made by testing the

tank – turn it on If no hissing sound can be heard – job well done

Turing the Oxygen Tank On Make sure the regulator is attached well Turn the main valve counter clockwise When the tank is turned on the pressure in the tank

will appear in the pressure gauge If the pressure is above 800 psi, the tank is good to

go on a call, if not it needs to be refilled When treating a patient, ensure that the tank

value is all the way open!

Turing the Oxygen Tank Off Turn the flow meter to off – 0 Lit/Min Turn the main value clockwise all of the way Do not over tighten – just enough to stop the flow of

oxygen There will be residual oxygen under pressure in the

regulator Turn the flow meter back up to any number until all

oxygen is out of the regulator Once all the air is out of the regulator, turn the flow

meter back to off This is called bleeding the regulator

Applying an NRB to the Tank The most common administration of oxygen is

through the use of the NRB Insert the end of the NRB tubing into the oxygen

outlet on the regulator Make sure it is on securely

Turn the main value all the way on Ensures patient will not suffocate

Turn the regulator to 12-15 Lit/Min, or what ever your 801 or 802 wants – will be different if using a nasal cannula

Applying an NRB to the Tank Cont. Once the NRB is attached and oxygen is

flowing through it: Place a gloved finger over the inlet valve of

the NRB mask until the reservoir bag of the NRB inflates

Now the NRB is ready for the 801 or 802 to use for the patient

NRB on a patient

This is the valve your finger will go on to inflate the reservoir bag

Reservoir Bag

NRB, The Patient, and Oxygen Clean-Up If the NRB (or any other oxygen delivery device) is no longer

needed, or if the device will be attached to a different oxygen source:

Take the mask off of the patient first Remove the mask from the tank Turn the flow meter to off Turn the main value off Bleed the tank Put the tank back into the bag If the mask is no longer needed it must be discarded in a RED

BAG

Practical Application Explain oxygen tank safety, anatomy, the pin

system, and the flow rate on regulator Practice do the following:

Regulator removal and placement Turn the oxygen tank On and Off

Check pressure and bleed

Apply an NRB to the tank