oxygen in dying hospice patients

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hey everyone, new here to the forum! and i just have a question that i can't seem to wrap my head around. When patients are on their last days, the doctor removes the meds, and nurses are providing morphine, why are some patients also applied o2? I know commonly they receive 2l, so is that keeping the patient alive? if they were to remove it would they die shortly after? just curious because it was something a couple of my nursing friends were discussing. what are the real benefits of the o2?

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comfort measure.

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removing it won't kill the patient? just wondering because some believe it keeps them alive.

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What do you think, OP?

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i haven't came to a decision. I am kind of swaying to either side, just wanted some feed back from all of you.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Are you a licensed nurse or a student? Why do you think removing 24% oxygen (room air is 21%) from a hospice patient is certain death?

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student! first semester so far! sorry for my ignorance but would'nt the room air 21% and the 24% from the NC add up? removing that NC wouldn't make a difference?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Room air is 21% O2

When you add 2LPM via NC the oxygen delivered raises to about 24-26%. It's not 21% + 24%.

So now try again.

No if you take off 2LPM they are not going to suffer a sudden death. Depending on their qualifying medical condition adding a little oxygen may just decrease the physiological work of breathing.

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Specializes in Oncology.

Sometimes oxygen is more for the family than the patient. When they see if there, they figure the patient has something helping them, and we're not just watching them die. It's strictly a psychological benefit.

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yeah that's why i said excuse my ignorance, I had a brain fart with the math there. isn't 2l around 28%? not that that would make a difference right?

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Don't beat yourself up too bad it's a common mistake on TV. Look at the Medical Mistakes on TV thread.

https://allnurses.com/nursing-humor-share/ridiculous-medical-mistakes-997478.html

*whisper*

your username violates the TOS

ETA:

Nevermind.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

I think OP isn't a nurse.

What do you think, OP?
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