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Oxygen Therapy Discharge Instructions, Child


About this topic


Your childs body needs oxygen to work the right way. It can also help treat lung and heart disease. There is some oxygen in the air around us. Some children need extra oxygen to get normal levels of oxygen into the blood. Your child may need extra oxygen for a: ‚  
  • Short-term problem. This might be an infection or asthma flare up.
  • Long-term problem. These are things like heart problems, cystic fibrosis, or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

Oxygen can be: ‚  
  • Compressed ¢ ˆ ’ Oxygen is stored in metal tanks under high pressure. The tanks come in many sizes. Some are small enough to carry with you.
  • Liquid ¢ ˆ ’ Liquid oxygen is very cold. It is stored in a large container. It turns into a gas when it leaves the container. It takes up less space than other types of oxygen, but costs more.
  • Concentrated ¢ ˆ ’ An electric machine filters out other gases and keeps just the oxygen. If you use this type of oxygen for your child, be sure to let your electric company know.

Oxygen is delivered to the lungs by: ‚  
  • Nasal cannula ¢ ˆ ’ This is a plastic tube with two small prongs. The prongs are placed in your child's nose. Part of the tubing wraps around the ears, like glasses. The tubing is connected to the oxygen tank.
  • Face mask ¢ ˆ ’ The mask fits over your child's nose and mouth. A tube attached to the mask is connected to the oxygen tank. Your child may need a mask to get a high rate of oxygen, or if your child has a stuffy nose.
  • Transtracheal catheter or tube ¢ ˆ ’ This is a small tube that is put into the windpipe through the front of the neck. Your child may need a humidifier attached to the oxygen set-up. This will help add moisture to the oxygen.


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What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child.
  • Oxygen is a drug that is ordered by the doctor. Do not change the oxygen settings without talking to the doctor.
  • Your child may be getting oxygen through one of many kinds of tubes. Always be sure to keep the breathing tube clean. Make sure it is not pinched or blocked.
  • Talk to the business where you get your oxygen supplies.
    • Make sure you know how to use all of the devices.
    • Ask how often you should change or clean your equipment.
    • Learn if there are filters that need to be replaced.
    • Make sure you have extra supplies in case of emergency.
  • There are some important safety factors to keep in mind when using oxygen.
    • Never smoke or light flames around the oxygen device.
    • Never use the oxygen device near a gas heater or stove.
    • Avoid using lotions and creams with petroleum in them.
    • Store the oxygen tanks upright and where they cannot fall over.
    • Turn off the oxygen supply when not in use.
    • Have working smoke detectors in the home.

What follow-up care is needed?


Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your childs progress. Be sure to keep these visits. Do not change or stop your child's oxygen unless told to do so by the doctor. Let people know there is oxygen in the home. Tell: ‚  
  • Your local fire department
  • Your electric, gas, and phone companies. You may be put on a special list to help you in case your power goes out.
  • Your neighbors and family

Will physical activity be limited?


How much activity your child can do may depend on how well the heart and lungs work. If your child has trouble breathing, they may have to slow down or stop an activity for a short period of time. Talk with the doctor about what exercises are good for your child. Portable oxygen tanks can be used. These work well for activities outside your home. ‚  

What problems could happen?


  • Dry or stuffy nose ¢ ˆ ’ Using a humidifier will help.
  • Nose bleeds
  • The tube may come off of the oxygen tank by accident
  • Running out of oxygen
  • Tripping over the tubing
  • Fire ¢ ˆ ’ Oxygen does not cause fire, but can make a fire worse. Keep oxygen from open flames or heat sources.

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of not enough oxygen. These include chest pain; trouble breathing; loss of appetite; trouble sleeping; dizziness; drowsiness; or bluish color around the eyes, lips, and fingernails.
  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum.
  • Your child is not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or is feeling worse

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my childs condition.
  • I can tell you how to use my child's oxygen safely.
  • I can tell you what I will do if my child has chest pain, trouble breathing, or a bluish color around the eyes, lips, and fingernails.

Where can I learn more?


American Thoracic Society ‚  
http://patients.thoracic.org/information-series/en/resources/oxygen-therapy-for-children.pdf ‚  
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚  
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/oxt/ ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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