Question

A nurse is performing a home safety assessment for a client who is receiving supplemental O2. Which of the following observations should the nurse identify as proper safety protocol?

A. client uses a wool blanket on their bed
B. pt uses nonacetone nail polish remover
C. pt stores an extra O2 tank on its side under their bed
D. pt has weekly inspection checklist for O2 equipment

Answer 1

The proper safety protocol for O2 equipment is a regular inspection, specifically, having a weekly inspection checklist for O2 equipment. Wool blankets and improperly stored oxygen tanks pose safety risks and nonacetone nail polish remover is not directly related to O2 safety.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse performing a home safety assessment for a client on supplemental O2 should ensure that safety protocols are in place to prevent potential hazards associated with oxygen use. The correct observation that the nurse should identify as proper safety protocol is that 'the patient has a weekly inspection checklist for O2 equipment'. This is an important practice because regular inspections can identify issues before they cause accidents or equipment failure.

Using a wool blanket on the bed is not recommended because wool can generate static electricity, which could be a fire risk around oxygen. Oxygen tanks should not be stored on their side, especially not in areas like under a bed, as this could lead to a risk of rolling, tampering, or difficult access in emergency situations; additionally, storing an oxygen tank under a bed is a fire hazard. The choice to use a nonacetone nail polish remover is safer than acetone-based removers in general, but this choice is not directly related to oxygen therapy safety protocols.