Signs of Hypoxia?

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Can someone please tell me what are the early and late signs of hypoxia? :specs:

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Specializes in cardiac/critical care/ informatics.

Is this homework? Critical thinking is in important aspect of nursing and this question you are asking will help increase critical thinking skills.

To better help you, I am not answering this question except with a questions. What do you think are some of the signs and then we will add to your thoughts. Please don't hate me this is to help you, really.

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Specializes in LTC, cardiac, ortho rehab.

think of patients with copd. the blue blower and the pink puffer. lol

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

You will find that very few of us will answer a question like that directly since it really is not helping you. A better way to approach this is to come up with your own answers and then ask if what you came up with seems accurate.

Obviously you have a computer or access to one, use Google and do a search on hypoxia... you will find the information you need. Then, if you want to get feedback on what you found, I am sure we will be much more willing to help you.

Good luck!

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no it's not homework, i am just reading my book. but it just gave me a definition and nothing else, and of course i tried to look it up online, i just keep getting definitions. i just remember that cyanosis is a late sign but i want to know more. i'll just ask someone else then, thanks.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, IM, OB/GYN, neuro, GI.

Check emedicine or web MD they usually explain the patho side of it. You can try wiki too but sometimes the info isn't reliable as anyone can put info onto that site.

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

http://www.favoriteplus.com/hypoxia-symptoms.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/hypoxia_(medical)

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Specializes in ICU, Emergency Department.

we use HU RATT as a mnemonic for the early adaptations of hypoxia:

Hypertension

Use of accessory muscles (while breathing)

Restlessness

Anxiety

Tachycardia

Tachypnea

...just thought the mnemonic might help you.

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confusion/altered mental status, agitation....

think about what the brain starts to do as it becomes more and more deprived of oxygen.

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The heart gets unhappy too.

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The mnemoic I use is

The (early) RAT- restlessness, anxiety, tachycardia & tachypnea.

is (late) to BED- bradycardia, extreme restlessness, dyspnea.

Makes it simple to recall on tests.

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and for Pediatrics

F- feeding diffilculty

I- Inspiratory stridor

N- nares flare

E- Expiratory grunting

S- sternal retractions

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