MICU
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We had an argue about it today, what do you think, will you give O2 to hyperventilated girl (or guy)?
O2 in HV/HY
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For a patient that is hyperventilated, I'd do what's best for my patient. I'd assess vitals, check skin perfusion, and adjust oxygenation accordingly.
For a patient hyperventilating, I'd I never have been in a situation where I administered O2 solely based on a patient's hyperventilation.
Hyperventilating is a psychiatric issue, and I don't see the benefit or need to apply O2 for a patient that is only hyperventilating. If it progresses to full out psychogenic shock then we'd go from there.
I'm assuming you're referring to my first response though?
Ridryder911
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Like stated, hyperventilation is usually related to emotional events and issues. One does need to be careful and to be sure that this is the sole source... other disorders such as P.E., metabolic disorders, even DKA may mimic hyperventillation syndromes. Get to the cause of why they are hyperventillating..
I routinely place 4 LPM per NRBM on a patient, it has enough oxygen to cause no harm and low enough they can rebreathe their Co2, this is more psychological ... with some encouragement, they calm down. The "paper" bag tx is good, but in case you did "mis diagnose", you just demonstrated a gross error...
R/r911
I routinely place 4 LPM per NRBM on a patient, it has enough oxygen to cause no harm and low enough they can rebreathe their Co2, this is more psychological ... with some encouragement, they calm down. The "paper" bag tx is good, but in case you did "mis diagnose", you just demonstrated a gross error...
R/r911
jeepmedic
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To much of anything is a bad thing including O2. Your body tries to stay in a balance so if your pt. is hyperventilating then they are getting to much O2. There is a diffrence between rapid respirations and true hyperventilating.
trauma1534
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Yes, they are blowing off too much C02 at this point. I like the old brown bag trick, however our state does not advocate that tx anymore. A non-rebreather does do the trick as it is a mental thing and it helps the patient to breath in thier C02. The old true NRB's were better. These now are mearly a simple face mask with a bag attatched. For no longer than our transport times, it does not hurt anyone to have high flow 02. I highly doubt that we will be in the truck with that patient long enough for it to cause significant damage to that patient. Also, try to talk your patient down. This works like a charm. If you have to, get forceful with them meaning talk firmly to them. Explain to them that if they don't slow thier breathing down, they will pass out. Hyperventilating patients are true refusal canadates... so my ultimate comclusion to this delima is get them to slow thier breathing down, press hard, three copys. This is not a true medical emergency, in that they most of the time are doing it for attention. Sometimes, it is psyciatric, but yet and still, they too can be talked down.
Airwaygoddess
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How did the pt. get to that point?
Airwaygoddess
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I agree with MMiz, treat the patient accordingly and if all else flow the protocols set by the medical directer.
Epi-do
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What a great idea Rid! I have heard the "put a NRB on them" bit before, but I like the idea of a small amount of O2 just in case something else is the actual cause of what is going on. I am going to have to remember that one.
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As I read the replies I thought of a few psych calls I went out. We'd have a patient hyperventilating because of a minor injury. My partner put the pt on O2 at 2 LPM via NC. It always did wonders.
I use the NRB trick too, it works well and keeps me from deviating from protocol. Paper bags are a big no no in SC... as for over oxygenation, an ER doc told me once that is take hours of high flow oxygen to cause harm to anyone, even the COPD patients usually arent in our care long enough for high flow O2 to hurt them, and if the do go out, we can always place an ETT in them.