| Class: |
Gaseous Analgesic/Anesthetic |
| Route: |
Inhalation |
Adult and Pediatric Dose: |
Instruct patient to inhale deeply through patient-held mask or mouthpiece |
| Drug Action: |
- Depresses the central nervous system
- Increases oxygen tension in the blood thereby reducing hypoxia
|
| Onset: |
2 minutes - 5 minutes |
| Duration: |
2 minutes - 5 minutes |
| Indications: |
- Adjunct analgesic for ischemic chest pain
- Severe pain or discomfort in all patients without contraindications
|
| Precautions: |
- Must be self administered
- Check machine gauges daily for proper concentrations
- Monitor blood pressure and pulse oximetry values during administration
|
| Side Effects: |
- Hypotension
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
|
| Contraindications: |
- Any altered level of consciousness or head injury
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Chest trauma or actual/suspected pneumothorax
- Abdominal trauma
- Major facial trauma
- Acutely psychotic patients
- Pregnancy, other than active labor
- Any patient (adult or pediatric) unable to self-administer
- Decompression sickness
|