CPAP machine, Pls help

[DN08]

Hey guys! I have a presentation to do tomorrow, ON Cpap machines.... Is there anything imporatant you can tell me about them? exspecially in concern with hospitalized pts and the nurses role in their care... I know the jist of it, my mom has one. But I dont want to miss anything. Plus I haven't seen a Cpap machine in the hospital yet so there isn't many resources for me in that aspect.

Maybe with new CPAP pts you monitor their O2 sat? idk?

Concern with skin integrity? exspecially with long term use?

How often do you need to clean them?

Any concerns with humidity?

Can the mask be hooked up to oxygen?

What is really the difference between a cpap and just a nasal canula hooked up to air or oxygen... anything? does a nasal canula provide postive pressue?

Thanks, i know thats alot but the questions kept pooring out, :)

Thanks in advance...

[BernieRN]

DN08- at the very least, O2 is O2 supp., no continuous pressure that is needed to keep the airway open; but the CPAP is continuous pressure- to keep the airway open for breathing and most have nothing to do with suppl. O2- although some have that too.

I personally haven't had any issues with skin integrity- bu sure have with compliance. Hated mine for a long time until I found the right mask.

I rinse the water container out daily and clean the whole system once a week- as well as the sponge filter. There is a paper filter on mine I change on an as needed basis.

Only distilled water should be used in them.

Humidity is a personal preference- usually a dial so you can turn it up and down. Much better with humidity for sure!

Might be good to check the Biox on the pt while they sleep, but if they are not in the middle of an apnea episode, they most likely will show a good O2. Then, you walk away, and two minutes later they could have an apnea event and the O2 would drop for those few moments, so I am not sure if checking it specifically for that would be beneficial.

Hope this helps

Diana