Hazards of oxygen administration include which of the following?

Hazards of oxygen administration include which of the following?

• A. Retinopathy of prematurity
• B. Retention of CO2
• C. Adsorption atelectasis
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

High oxygen administration carries several distinct hazards that depend on the patient and context. In premature infants, high FiO2 can cause retinopathy of prematurity, where immature retinal vessels are disrupted by oxidative stress, potentially leading to vision problems. In patients with chronic CO2 retention, supplemental oxygen can blunt the hypoxic drive to breathe and worsen hypercapnia, increasing arterial CO2 and respiratory acidosis. Across patients, high concentrations of oxygen can cause adsorption (absorption) atelectasis by washing out nitrogen from dependent or poorly ventilated areas of the lung, leading to reduced functional residual capacity and impaired gas exchange. Because all of these are potential risks, the correct answer is that all of the above are hazards of oxygen administration.

High oxygen administration carries several distinct hazards that depend on the patient and context. In premature infants, high FiO2 can cause retinopathy of prematurity, where immature retinal vessels are disrupted by oxidative stress, potentially leading to vision problems. In patients with chronic CO2 retention, supplemental oxygen can blunt the hypoxic drive to breathe and worsen hypercapnia, increasing arterial CO2 and respiratory acidosis. Across patients, high concentrations of oxygen can cause adsorption (absorption) atelectasis by washing out nitrogen from dependent or poorly ventilated areas of the lung, leading to reduced functional residual capacity and impaired gas exchange. Because all of these are potential risks, the correct answer is that all of the above are hazards of oxygen administration.