This post may contain affiliate links. This means I will make a commission at no extra cost to you should you click through and make a purchase.
https://lifewiththefordhams.com/affiliate-third-party-links-disclosure-and-disclaimer/
One of the most important things I have learned as a nurse is to look at your patient!!! This rule of thumb can apply to all areas of life whether in the hospital or not. Many times I will come on shift and the shift before has applied oxygen to a patient that doesn’t normally wear oxygen, or they are freaking out about a blood pressure, etc. I’m not bashing them but I am writing this to give new nurses, old nurses, and anyone else some tips to try before you freak out.
When checking a person’s oxygen…
*First check the placement of the oxygen saturation probe
*Check the patients finger temperature
*Try a different probe or different machine (such as a wrap around (sticky band-aid), ear probe, headband probe, etc)
*Does your patient look in distress or mention they can’t breathe?
*Call Respiratory in. They are your resource. USE THEM!!!! (If available)
If you try all these things with no improvement then pull out the oxygen. Also know your patient’s history. If they are a smoker, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD), Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), or any lung issues. Make sure you know how to use the oxygen set ups in your facility per your policies.
