Having low oxygen levels in your blood is called hypoxemia. Having low oxygen levels in your tissues is called hypoxia.

Venturi mask

• Delivers 24-60% oxygen and CO2 build up is controlled and kept to minimum

• Different colors deliver different rates

• Flow rate: Varies with colour. The correct flow rate to use with each colour it is shown on mask, along with the percentage of oxygen delivered.

• Types:

  • BLUE = 2-4L/min = 24% O2

  • WHITE = 4-6L/min = 28% O2

  • YELLOW = 8-10L/min = 35% O2

  • RED = 10-12L/min = 40% O2

  • GREEN = 12-15L/min = 60% O2

• Venturi masks are often used in COPD, where it is important not to over-oxygenate the patient.

Non-rebreather mask-vents on each side covered by flaps keep pt from breathing in room air to ensure high conc of O2 delivered

• Delivers 85-90% oxygen (high flow rates and high concentration of Oxygen)

• 10-15L flow rate

• Bag on mask with valves stopping almost all rebreathing of expired air

• Used for acutely unwell patients

  • Note that saturations should be maintained at 94-98%, not 100%.

  • Do not keep patients on 15L for longer than necessary as over-oxygenating for prolonged periods can be harmful.

  • Do not allow the reservoir bag to deflate or the O2 source to deplete, if either occurs the pt may breathe in large amounts of exhaled CO2

Non-invasive ventilation

(CPAP/BiPAP): CPAP (continuous positive airways pressure)

• High pressure air/oxygen with a tight-fitting mask

• Positive pressure all the time to help keep airways open (split them)

• Used in acute pulmonary edema and sleep apnea

• BiPAP (bilevel positive airways pressure)

  • High positive pressure on inspiration and lower positive pressure on expiration

  • COPD (low pressure on expiration prevents air trapping an issue COPD pts already experience)

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Invasive ventilation (mechanical ventilator)

• Fully controlled oxygen delivery up to 100%

• A ventilation bag or machine is attached to an artificial airway to ventilate lungs.

• Used in intensive care