If using an oxygen flowmeter to deliver an 80/20 Heliox blend, what adjustment is needed for the indicated reading?
Answer
The indicated reading must be multiplied by approximately 1.8
Administering Heliox using standard equipment designed only for oxygen delivery necessitates careful mathematical correction due to the difference in gas density between Heliox and pure oxygen/air. Specifically, when using an oxygen flowmeter to deliver the common 80/20 Heliox blend, the flow rate displayed on the meter does not reflect the true flow rate of the Heliox mixture. To accurately determine the actual flow reaching the patient, the reading indicated on the oxygen flowmeter must be multiplied by an approximate correction factor of 1.8. This reliance on manual correction factors introduces a potential avenue for human error in critical care situations.
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