If a person has stopped breathing and is receiving pulmonary resuscitation, would it be better to administer pure oxygen or a mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide? Why?
Apparently only room air or oxygen is best.
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Administering pure oxygen would be better than a mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide during pulmonary resuscitation. This is because pure oxygen helps to improve oxygenation in the body, which is crucial for maintaining critical bodily functions.
To explain why pure oxygen is preferred, we need to understand the process of respiration. During respiration, oxygen from the air is taken in by the lungs and transferred to the bloodstream. It then binds with hemoglobin in red blood cells, allowing for transportation to body tissues. In return, carbon dioxide, which is a waste product of cellular metabolism, is released from the tissues into the bloodstream. This carbon dioxide is then transported back to the lungs, where it is eliminated when we exhale.
When a person has stopped breathing, the delivery of oxygen to the body is interrupted, leading to a decrease in oxygen levels and an increase in carbon dioxide levels. Administering pure oxygen can help supplement the oxygen supply, compensating for the lack of normal breathing.
Carbon dioxide, on the other hand, can have adverse effects when administered in high concentrations. It acts as a respiratory stimulant, stimulating the brain to trigger the breathing reflex. In a person receiving pulmonary resuscitation, the focus is on achieving adequate oxygenation, and doing so with a mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide can potentially prolong the period before normal breathing is restored.
Therefore, administering pure oxygen is the preferred method during pulmonary resuscitation as it assists in restoring oxygen levels and supports the critical functions of the body.