NPO
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We were dispatched to an acute care facility for an 80-something year-old male complaint of SOB. Upon arrival he was upright in bed with no current complaints. He was sat-ing 98-99% on 1lpm O2. While I took a report from the nurse my partner grabbed an updates set of vitals. All within normal limits. A short time later the patient complained of SOB and sure enough o2 sat was down to 93% and dropping. I consulted with the nurse out of professional curtesy, as it was still his patient. He told me under no circumstances should the oxygen be turned up to more than 1lpm due to the patients COPD, and that much O2 could kill him.
Now, I assume the nurse has more education than I do at my present point in my career, but can 2lpm really kill a COPD patient?
I ordered an RT from the facility for the patient and he received a breathing treatment before being transported.
I'm not an "everyone needs O2" kinda guy. In fact fewer than half of my patients present with a reason for oxygen, but this guy was symptomatic.
Now, I assume the nurse has more education than I do at my present point in my career, but can 2lpm really kill a COPD patient?
I ordered an RT from the facility for the patient and he received a breathing treatment before being transported.
I'm not an "everyone needs O2" kinda guy. In fact fewer than half of my patients present with a reason for oxygen, but this guy was symptomatic.
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