#89: Oxygenation and Related Concepts

A lot of nursing schools are changing to a concept-based curriculum where instead of teaching disorders in isolation, they teach concepts that have broader application. For example, instead of just teaching about asthma, these programs teach oxygenation as a concept and use asthma as an example for beginning students (and then more complex disorders such as ARDS for the advanced students). By learning about oxygenation as a concept, the consensus is that you’ll apply this knowledge more easily in clinical (and on exams) because you’ll have a better understanding of how it interrelates with the patient’s overall condition.  In this podcast episode Nurse Mo talks you through the basics of oxygenation and some related concepts. You will learn: The difference between oxygenation and ventilation The difference between hypoxia and hypoxemia The difference between diffusion and perfusion Why hypoxia and hypoxemia do not always co-exist (though they often do!) How optimal oxygenation looks in a healthy patient vs how it looks in a patient with a respiratory disorder How the body compensates for chronic low oxygen levels The importance of airway patency Nursing interventions for patients having oxygenation challenges And to drive the concept of oxygenation home, we’ll talk through three case studies using our fictitious patients, Bob, Sally and James. They are each in distress for very different reasons, but they’re all related to oxygenation. Enjoy! Looking for episode notes? They’re right here: (https://www.straightanursingstudent.com/oxygenation-concepts/).  Loving this podcast? We’d love if you could rate and review wherever you get your podcast fix! And be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!