You must transport a patient with carbon monoxide poisoning to a specialized facility for treatment. Transport time is estimated at an hour and a half. The patient is on a nonrebreather face mask with a continuous oxygen flow of 15 lpm. On the ambulance, you have a G tank with 1,100 psi inside. Knowing that the cylinder constant is 2.41, what action should the EMT take in relation to the amount of available oxygen and transport time?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To calculate the available oxygen in the G cylinder, we need to use the formula: 
Available oxygen (in liters) = Cylinder pressure (in psi) x Cylinder constant 
So, Available oxygen in the G cylinder = 1,100 x 2.41 = 2,651 liters.

To calculate the amount of oxygen the patient will consume during the transport, we need to use the formula: 
Oxygen consumption (in liters) = Oxygen flow rate (in lpm) x Transport time (in hours) x 60

So, Oxygen consumption during transport = 15 x 1.5 x 60 = 1,350 liters.

Since the available oxygen (2,651 liters) is greater than the oxygen consumption during transport (1,350 liters), there is enough oxygen for the transport. Therefore, the EMT should replace the G cylinder after the transport.

You Must Transport a Patient with Carbon Monoxide Poisoning to a Specialized