Which of the following is a common complication of oxygen therapy?

Which of the following is a common complication of oxygen therapy?

• A. Fluid overload
• B. Barotrauma
• C. Hypoxia
• D. Confusion

Answer: (B)

Barotrauma is a common complication associated with oxygen therapy, primarily occurring when there are significant changes in pressure, which can cause damage to the lungs and surrounding tissues. This often happens when oxygen is delivered at high pressures, such as in hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The risk comes from the increased pressure leading to the expansion of air-filled spaces within the body, including the lungs, which can result in ruptured alveoli or pneumothorax. The understanding of barotrauma is important for healthcare practitioners, especially when adjusting the parameters of oxygen therapy. Monitoring the patient for signs and symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or respiratory distress is crucial to prevent this complication. While other complications can arise from oxygen therapy, they do not reflect the direct consequences of pressure changes in the same manner as barotrauma does.

Barotrauma is a common complication associated with oxygen therapy, primarily occurring when there are significant changes in pressure, which can cause damage to the lungs and surrounding tissues. This often happens when oxygen is delivered at high pressures, such as in hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The risk comes from the increased pressure leading to the expansion of air-filled spaces within the body, including the lungs, which can result in ruptured alveoli or pneumothorax.

The understanding of barotrauma is important for healthcare practitioners, especially when adjusting the parameters of oxygen therapy. Monitoring the patient for signs and symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or respiratory distress is crucial to prevent this complication. While other complications can arise from oxygen therapy, they do not reflect the direct consequences of pressure changes in the same manner as barotrauma does.