O2 therapy - need Dr's order?

[moshimoshi]

I have a post-op patient with impaired gas exchange. He is not doing TCDB, the pulse oximerty indicates his SaO2 is less than 90%. In ABG, PCO2 is high. He is somewhat cyanotic. Can a nurse start an O2 therapy, say with nasal cannula or whatever appropriate? Or do I need to call a Dr and get an order before staring O2 therapy?

[Burnt Out, ASN, RN]

In an airway emergency, we can administer o2 and then get an order for it.

O2 at 2 L BNC is pretty much standard even with your severe end stage COPD patients.