O2 while cardioverting?

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Sep 26, 2016

Hi guys, quick question I recently took ACLS not too long ago and wanted to ask a question. I was taught to remove oxygen sources from the patient while they are being defibrillated because of potential burn or electrical injury.. Is this the same for cardioverting? I was on youtube looking at videos and noticed patients had nonrebreather mask while cardioversion, is this safe?

About the only time this is unsafe is when the patient is in a very oxygen-saturated environment. Room air with an NRB or even an nasal cannula will not typically create such an environment.

miamiheatrn, BSN · Sep 26, 2016

Got it , so it's safe

Wile E Coyote, ASN, RN · Sep 26, 2016

Got it , so it's safe

Yeah, just don't use the Edison Medicine in a Croup tent or the like and it's all good.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Sep 26, 2016

Yeah, just don't use the Edison Medicine in a Croup tent or the like and it's all good.

Exactly why I posted what I did... They do make (and use) oxygen tents that make the local environment VERY oxygen saturated. Basically everything under the tent becomes quite flammable and is waiting only a spark to get a fire going. If you must use a defibrillator under those circumstances, your best bet is to remove everything around the patient that's basically fabric as best as possible and switch to a different oxygen delivery system before you spark the patient. Don't use manual defib paddles, use the adhesive pads and make darned sure that the pads do not have any gaps that could allow a spark to sneak out under the pad (adhered all around the pads) and be ready to put the patient out as they may still catch fire.