If the tubing becomes disconnected or kinked just reattach tubing and check that the child s prescribed flow rate in liters per minute is being used

							                                                    Pediatric School Resource Handbook



Oxygen Information for Schools

Description

Oxygen is needed every day by our bodies to function. In some children who have
pulmonary hypertension their body cannot provide them with enough oxygen so it must
be given as a medication prescribed by their physician. Compared to taking a
medication in pill form, the delivery of oxygen to the lungs is very visible. It consists of a
container that stores the oxygen and a delivery system called a nasal cannula or mask
to deliver the prescribed oxygen flow rate to the patient.

How It Is Administered

Oxygen must be stored in a container and delivered through a nasal cannula or mask.
The container may be a small high-pressured oxygen cylinder or a liquid oxygen system
which can both be used for portability. The flow rate in liters per minute of oxygen
prescribed by the doctor will determine the length of time a portable oxygen system can
be used before it becomes empty. An oxygen concentrator either electrically powered or
portable may also be used for oxygen during the school day.

Possible Side Effects

    Nasal irritation/ nose bleeds
    Skin irritation
    Headaches

Precautions

The tubing of the delivery system may become disconnected or kinked which would
result in an interruption of the oxygen medication being delivered.

If this were to happen the child may tell you they just don’t feel well, their skin color or
gums may become grey (cyanotic), or they may complain of dizziness and short of
breath. If the tubing becomes disconnected or kinked just reattach tubing and check that
the child’s prescribed flow rate in liters per minute is being used. Increase oxygen flow
rate as ordered. If the symptoms persist, change the oxygen equipment to a back-up
system if available. If the symptoms persist, seek medical attention and contact your
physician immediately

A list of side effects generally experienced by the child and treatments for these
side effects are listed below.




Visit www.PHAssociation.org and learn more about pulmonary hypertension and the educational
materials and resources available.
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                                                  Pediatric School Resource Handbook


Oxygen Information for Schools cont’d

What To Watch For or To Do In An Emergency

If the oxygen storage or delivery system stops working and no back-up oxygen system is
available, the patient may become more short of breath and their skin color or gums may
become grey or blue (cyanotic). If the child has any of these symptoms call 911
immediately.

Oxygen Safety Tips:

      Avoid dropping or banging the oxygen delivery system
      Oxygen stored as a liquid in a container must be kept upright. If tipped over the
       liquid oxygen will hiss as some of the oxygen is released from the container.
       Just place the system upright and the hissing will go away.
      Oxygen delivered through an oxygen concentrator should be in a space that
       allows all the sides of the concentrator to be free from contact with any object,
       this will allow adequate entrainment and filtering of the room air used in the
       concentrator
      Avoid any material that is combustible such as petroleum-based lotions, baby oil,
       hair and other aerosol sprays, grease
      Avoid sources of ignition such as sparking toys, lit cigarettes, open flames, space
       heaters
      Use “no smoking – oxygen in use” signs in your classroom and on the door to
       alert people of the oxygen use
      Never store any source of oxygen in the trunk of a car or near excessive heat
       and lack of ventilation

Child’s Side Effects and Treatments:




Visit www.PHAssociation.org and learn more about pulmonary hypertension and the educational
materials and resources available.
                                                                               Page 2 of 2