(d) Holding the yoke attachment firmly in both hands, slide it over the
cylinder stem, making sure the pegs are correctly seated in the proper holes. The main
peg connects with the oxygen valve. The two lower pegs must fit into the two smaller
holes below the valve. The two lower holes are a safety precaution. Each type of gas
container (oxygen, nitrous oxide, etc.) has the lower holes located in different positions.
The different hole locations prevent an oxygen delivery system from being connected to
a non-oxygen cylinder.
(e) Turn the viselike screw on the slide of the yoke attachment to
secure it.
h. Fill the Humidifier. Fill the humidifier bottle with distilled water so that the
water level is between the marked minimum and maximum levels (approximately 2/3
full). Refill as necessary to maintain water level above the minimum mark.
(1) Because oxygen is very drying to the mucous membranes, it is bubbled
through water to add humidity that makes it less irritating to tissues. Oxygen may be
administered without humidification for short periods such as in emergency situations or
during transportation.
(2) Bacterial growth on oxygen humidifiers may occur. Therefore,
humidifiers and tubing should be changed at least every 24 hours or in accordance with
local SOP.
i. Attach the Humidifier to the Flow Meter. Remove the oxygen tube
connector from the flow meter by turning the wing nut. Attach the wing nut on the
humidifier to the flow meter and secure by tightening the wing nut (figure 3-10).
j. Attach the Administering Device. Open the package containing the device
to be used in administering the oxygen (nasal prongs or face mask) only far enough to
expose the end of the connecting tube. Attach the end of the connecting tube to the
oxygen outlet on the humidifier. The rest of the device should remain in the wrapper
k. Secure the Oxygen Cylinder. Secure the cylinder in accordance with the
local policy. Some facilities have special devices used to secure oxygen cylinders.
Other facilities use straps to secure the cylinder to stable areas such as the bed or the
wall.
l. Report the Setup Procedure. Report the completion of the setup procedure
to the supervisor.
MD0542
3-11