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Nursing assessment during oxygen administration in ventilated preterm infants
Marianne T Solberg1, Thor W R Hansen, Ida Torunn Bjørk
1Lovisenberg Deaconal College, Oslo, Norway. marianne.solberg@ldh.no
Aim:
To document nurses' opinions about their assessments of oxygen requirements in ventilated preterm infants receiving oxygen supplementation.
Methods:
Survey design with descriptive statistics. The sample consisted of 111 nurses employed in clinical positions in neonatal intensive care units within Norway's five regional hospitals. The questionnaire included questions about physiological and clinical observations used when assessing oxygen administration in ventilated preterm infants.
Results:
A major finding was the gap between the criteria laid down in professional and research literature, vs the criteria nurses perceived they were using when they assessed the oxygen requirements of preterm infants. The respondents stated that they used oxygen saturation to assess the infants' oxygen requirements when adjusting oxygen supplementation. Only 17% of the nurses used the oxygen-haemoglobin dissociation curve in their assessments. Those who responded that they used the curve did not use it correctly.
Conclusion:
Assessment of O₂ requirement is based on insufficient information and calls for evaluation of local, national as well as international education. Close collaboration between doctors and nurses is essential in planning care for individual patients.
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01:19Respiratory Assessment: Purpose and Indications
Objectives and Importance:
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01:23Assessment of Respiration
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01:20Assessment of Ventilation I: Respiratory Rate
A Ventilation assessment is critical for monitoring a patient's health status. Respiration, one of the most accessible vital signs, provides insights into the function of numerous body systems and can indicate serious health issues, such as brainstem injuries from head trauma.
Critical Guidelines for Assessing Ventilation:
01:19Special considerations while measuring oxygen saturation
Ensuring accuracy in vital sign recordings while prioritizing patient comfort and minimizing anxiety is important.
01:29Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement:
01:30Administering Oxygen by Mask
Administering oxygen by mask is a common nursing intervention that provides supplemental oxygen to patients with respiratory distress or chronic lung conditions. This procedure involves delivering oxygen at a specified rate through a face mask connected to an oxygen source.
Equipment
The equipment necessary for this procedure includes: