Ambu bag with COPD patient question..

[lvnnars1]

Was reading some threads on ambu bags and came up with a scenario. If a pt. has copd and is a code how many liters of o2 do we give while using the ambubag connected to oxygen. standard is about 10-15liters with no copd, but wat if the pt. has COPD?

[p_hawk]

I'd imagine it wouldn't make a difference. The reason we're careful when using O2 with COPDers is because we can knock out their respiratory drive. The only thing keeping them breathing is O2 lack. CO2 buildup doesn't matter to their body, they're so used to it it doesn't drive them to breathe anymore.

If a COPDer is coding and an ambu bag is necessary, knocking out their respiratory drive isn't really a concern anymore, because its already gone, lol.

[vampiregirl, BSN, RN]

I use 15L via bvm (ambubag) on a respiratory arrest patient, regardless of their medical history (for the same reason listed in the post above).

[CCL RN, RN]

They are dead-they need 100% FiO2! Once we resuscitate them (hopefully) then we can work out their medical Hx, weaning off the vent, etc. But a code is a code and everyone needs high flow O2 in that situation...

[MomRN0913]

always 100% during a code. If you save them and get them on a vent, u can adjust according to ABG's

[Cessna172]

Crank up the O2, respiratory drive is no longer an issue during a code.

[GilaRRT]

Plus, the "hypoxic drive" is a scarecrow that nursing students are taught to fear and avoid. However, once you are actually to the point bagging a patient, does it really matter?

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Hopefully your unit has an educator or resource person who can direct you to some materials to review

1. the purpose/function of an ambu bag

2. why the concept of "too much O2" is not a concern when a person is *not breathing*

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

Any patient in arrest needs as much oxygen as possible.

[StudentNursePedrito]

With COPD pt normally want to keep them around the lower 90's, but when its a full out code, place them on high flow 02 all the time. Can't have a negative dead score if you don't do anything for there respiratory drive that went to crap when they coded.

[smartnurse1982]

I use 15L via bvm (ambubag) on a respiratory arrest patient, regardless of their medical history (for the same reason listed in the post above).

I know this is old,but a nursing coworker said that an Ambubag (BVM) can be used without O2......

I have never heard of that before,but i guess is it possible?

[smartnurse1982]

Any patient in arrest needs as much oxygen as possible.

Or so i thought so until today.