Oxygen therapy

[Raj777]

Hi nurses,

Do a RN need doctor's order to initiate oxygen therapy to a patient having low oxygen saturation or shortness of breath?

I am a new nurse, sometimes I need to know about little things even though I studied theory, there's a lot in theory, I think we can not remember everything.

Thanks

[Carlen]

It depends which ward you work at. Im from ICU, we put pts on CPAP or Bipap without any order cuz pts are critical. But for you always check your trace first, change spots, check if pt is COPD then commence pt on 2 L NP and inform drs thats Sats dropping.

[Raj777]

I work with elderly in senior home in Canada.

Usually, some patients get SOB or low oxy saturation because of Asthma, Chest infection or COPD.

So, in this setting, I wanted to know, in emergency, the priority is to save the patient, if I start calling Dr to take order, patient may die. So, as you also told, we can inform the Dr after patient is stable, and take further order.

[Fiona59]

In Acute Care we just apply the O2 to 2L. If it doesn't get better we call the Rapid Response Team.

The main thing is the patient with COPD. You really need to know their baseline.

[Raj777]

Good answer, I am seeking more answers from different people and settings .

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

If you suspect that oxygen at some stage will not be required you could always ask their doctor for a standing order

[Raj777]

Thanks for the replies

[Lucydog14]

I worked in a hospital for 10 years. We didn't need an order to put O2 on. If it was going to be needed long term we would get an order. If the patient needs it right now you aren't going to sit around waiting for the order.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

I worked in a hospital for 10 years. We didn't need an order to put O2 on. If it was going to be needed long term we would get an order. If the patient needs it right now you aren't going to sit around waiting for the order.

Working in a hospital is different to working in the community or elderly care homes.

[oceangirl1234]

I work acute care (surgical)-if needed we just put the O2 on. If they are not maintaining their sats, then we page RT to come assess and the docs as well.