[rlsilkett]

I am a nursing student and I have an evidence based research project to do. We were instructed to pick a topic/question about nursing interventions. I am having trouble finding the information I need so any help would be great!
I know doctors prescribe how much oxygen to administer to patients and it is generally a standard protocol for each unit. But I've noticed that for instance a pt. has a SpO2 of 88% and the nurse puts the patient on 2L of O2 per nasal canula. My question is: As a nursing judgement, how do you know how much o2 to administer based on the stats?

[EricEnfermero]

You've already hit on the issue. On many units, liter flow for oxygen admininstration is not a nursing judgment, but rather a physician order or a unit protocol.

[cardiacRN2006]

Usually, pts have an order that says, "02 @2L, titrate/keep sats >92%".

But, I'm not going to wait for an order if my pts sats drop. I'll call the Dr when I can, or have someone else call if I don't have an order, but I'll just place the O2 right away.

You wanted to know how much to put on, or how we know how much to put on? The answer is, however much the pt needs. If his sats drop to 85%, and you put him on 2L, and they are still in the 80's, then you trurn the O2 up.

(Of course, your actions are based on the pts history, reason for admission,etc, etc...)

[NRSKarenRN]

Great Respiratory evidenced based clinical practice guidelines http://www.rcjournal.com/online_resources/cpgs/cpg_index.asp

includes:
Oxygen Therapy for Adults in the Acute Care Facility
Oxygen Therapy in the Home or Alternate Site

[pavanneh]

I am currently a respiratory therapist. A sat of 88% at 2 LPM would require that you increase the Liter flow by at least 1 liter and titrate up if needed. However, as someone posted earlier how much depends on the patient's condition, Chronic and current. A Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease patient that lives on a hypoxic drive-meaning they can't tolerate high levels of oxygen in their blood or they don't breathe, can't tolerate O2 saturations above 92% very often. I have a lady right now that lives at 90% and she is on 5 LPM. Always, Always...assess the patient and give them what THEY need. The websites that you were given are good resources as is the NBRC website and AARC website-both Respiratory websites.