oxygen
Last reviewed 01/2018
Oxygen is a chemical element, found in molecular form O2 and making up 20% of the atmosphere.
Clinically, it should be considered as a medication that must be used wisely. It can be provided in a variety of forms including:
- oxygen cylinders - used when intermittent oxygen is needed, for example short episodes of hypoxaemia as in asthma.
- oxygen concentrators - used where oxygen is needed for more than 15 hours a day, for example in chronic obstructive airways disease with cor pulmonale
oxygen therapy in chronic respiratory failure due to COAD
oxygen therapy in respiratory failure