Danger of only breathing 50% oxygen-Nurses-Doctors??!
Question:
Danger of only breathing 50% oxygen-Nurses-Doctors??
My live in is in the hospital with 5 badly broken ribs and a bruised Lung. They had him on oxygen at a level 6. Late last night his oxygen level fell to 50%. and they had trouble trying to keep him awake. His heartbeat was soaring also. They took him to UIC.
I can't seem to get a straight answer from the nurses as to "why" he dropped as he did.
What is the danger he faced at only breahing at 50%? Although they have now got his oxygen level back, is there any long term effect? He was acting a tad strange today, and I'm not sure if it was my imagination. Sorry spellcheck isn't working, and I'm to tired to think!!
Answers:
he is likely not breathng deeply enough to absorb enough oxygen, and a level of 50 can cause brain damage if it goes on too long. the saturation of blood by oxygen should be at minimum 90%, so he was in considerable danger. Whether or not the effects of this low saturation are permanent depends on how long the saturation lasted, before they got it back up.