Considerations:
- Medical oxygen is classified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a drug; therefore, a prescription from a health care provider is required.
- Portable liquid oxygen tanks can be refilled from a home-based liquid oxygen system.
- These tanks are student specific and only indicated as part of a student’s Individualized Health Care Plan (IHCP) and Emergency Action Plan (EAP)/health care provider’s order.
- An oxygen concentrator needs to be situated at least 6 inches away from walls, furniture, and drapes.
- The supplier of the equipment may be available to provide initial set-up and in-person instruction.
- Backup supply of oxygen should be available in a school setting in case of oxygen concentrator malfunction or power outage.
Supplies:
- Oxygen concentrator
- Oxygen delivery method
- Oxygen tubing
- Health care providers order
- Individualized Healthcare Plan (IHP) and/or Emergency Action Plan (EAP)/Health care provider’s orders
- Parent/Guardian authorization form
Administering Oxygen with an Oxygen Concentrator Procedure:
- Call for assistance, if needed
- Wash hands
- Position the student to provide as much privacy as possible
- Explain procedure to student at a level they will understand
- Inspect nasal cannula and oxygen tubing to ensure it is in proper working condition
- Plug AC cord into properly grounded outlet
- Push power strip on
- In most cases an alarm will sound at start up
- Review the health care provider’s order to determine:
- Dose of oxygen
- Route of administration
- Duration of administration
- Review the six rights of medication administration to ensure it is:
- The right student
- The right medication
- The right dose
- Being given at the right time
- Being given by the right route
- Being given for the right reason
- Ensure proper documentation of parent/guardian authorization to administer medication
- Use control knob or button to control the flow of oxygen as ordered per the health care provider’s order
- Connect the oxygen tubing to the oxygen tank
- Review the six rights of medication administration to ensure it is:
- The right student
- The right medication
- The right dose
- Being given at the right time
- Being given by the right route
- Being given for the right reason
- Place nasal cannula prongs into nose so they follow the curve of the nostrils
- Place tubing over and behind each ear with adjustor comfortably under the student’s chin
- Take care not to put undue pressure on the nasal tissue from tightening the attachment too much
- Check that oxygen is flowing appropriately
- If oxygen concentrator alarms, switch student to backup oxygen source before trying to troubleshoot (see below for troubleshooting procedure)
- Follow up with the parent or guardian and health care provider, as needed
- Document medication administration in the student’s medication administration log
Procedure for Checking and Cleaning Oxygen Concentrator and Tubing:
- Oxygen concentrator should be cleaned at least once per week
- Wipe down the oxygen concentrator with a clean damp cloth
- Check student’s health care orders or discuss with health care provider regarding how often oxygen tubing is replaced
- Check, clean, and change out the filters, as instructed by health care provider team and oxygen concentrator manufacturer’s manual
Troubleshooting oxygen concentrator alarms:
- Be sure to switch student to backup oxygen source before troubleshooting
- Check to make sure the power source is plugged into a working outlet
- Check air intake area to make sure that it is not blocked
- Make sure filters are cleaned and placed properly
- Check to make sure the flow control is not set at zero or above the highest setting
- Check to make sure the oxygen tubing is not kinked or blocked
- If none of these steps fix the issue, check the oxygen concentrator’s manufacturer’s manual
- If all else fails:
- Turn the concentrator off
- Wait 10 minutes for it to cool down
- Turn concentrator back on
- If still unable to get concentrator to work properly call parents/guardians
References:
Lynn, P. (2019). Administering oxygen by nasal cannula. In Skill checklists for Taylor’s clinical nursing skills. A nursing process approach. (5th ed.). (p. 312).
Pediatric Home Services. (2007). Deliver oxygen with an oxygen tank (Cómo administrar oxígeno con un tanque de oxígeno). . Retrieved June 6, 2023, from https://www.pediatrichomeservice.com/tips-how-tos/deliver-oxygen-with-an-oxygen-tank/?play=1
Pediatric Home Services. (2007). Oxygen concentrator (Concentrador de oxígeno). . Retrieved June 6, 2023, from https://www.pediatrichomeservice.com/tips-how-tos/deliver-oxygen-with-an-oxygen-tank/?play=1
Pediatric Home Services. (2007). Oxygen connections (Conexiones de oxígeno) . Retrieved June 6, 2023, from https://www.pediatrichomeservice.com/tips-how-tos/deliver-oxygen-with-an-oxygen-tank/?play=1
Perry, A. G., Potter, P.A., Ostendorf, W., & Laplante, N. (2021). Applying an oxygen-delivery device. In Clinical nursing skills and techniques. (10th ed.). (pp. 712-719). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
Perry, A. G., Potter, P.A., Ostendorf, W., & Laplante, N. (2021). Using home oxygen equipment. In Clinical nursing skills and techniques. (10th ed.). (pp. 1248-1255). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
Page last reviewed: February 27, 2025
Page last revised: February 27, 2025
The information and materials presented in this Website are intended for informational purposes only and are not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, or assist in diagnosis or treatment of the same. The information is not intended to substitute for, supplement or replace clinical judgment. If there are any concerns or questions about or relating to a nursing or medical procedure, contact the individual’s healthcare provider. The information provided on this Website is not intended to be a substitute for medical orders and persons without the proper education, training, supervision and/or licensure should not perform the procedures.