Episode 43: Oxygen Therapy

AI generated podcast of Tonya Piehl's lecture notes.

This document details medical gas therapy, focusing on oxygen therapy for hypoxemia (low blood oxygen). It explains different types of hypoxia (inadequate oxygen at the tissue level), classifies hypoxemia by severity and responsiveness to increased oxygen, and describes the risks of oxygen toxicity. The text then covers various oxygen delivery systems—low-flow (e.g., nasal cannula, simple mask) and high-flow (e.g., Venturi mask, non-rebreather mask)—outlining their uses, FiO2 (fraction of inspired oxygen) delivery, and limitations. Finally, it discusses the selection criteria for oxygen therapy based on patient needs and clinical situations, including the use of heliox for airway obstruction.