Final answer:
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy treats conditions like carbon monoxide poisoning by displacing carbon monoxide from hemoglobin using 100 percent oxygen at increased pressure. A fixed therapeutic O₂ system employs a hyperbaric chamber, either monoplace or multiplace, pressurized with oxygen to enhance its diffusion into the bloodstream. This procedure supports healing, fights infection, and is governed by the oxygen-hemoglobin saturation/dissociation curve, which regulates tissue oxygen delivery.
Step-by-step explanation:
Administering 100 percent oxygen during hyperbaric oxygen therapy is crucial for treating conditions such as carbon monoxide poisoning. The hyperbaric chamber increases the atmospheric pressure around the patient, allowing a greater amount of oxygen to dissolve in the bloodstream. This process effectively displaces carbon monoxide from hemoglobin, which is critical as hemoglobin has a far greater affinity for carbon monoxide than oxygen. Providing carbon dioxide would not help in this situation, as it does not have the ability to displace carbon monoxide from hemoglobin or facilitate the delivery of oxygen to tissues, which is necessary for cell survival and metabolism.
The operation of a fixed therapeutic O₂ system, such as a hyperbaric chamber, involves placing a patient inside the chamber, which can be either monoplace or multiplace, and then sealing and pressurizing the unit with 100 percent oxygen or a mixture of gases with a higher concentration of oxygen than normal atmospheric conditions. The elevated pressure and oxygen concentration in the chamber enhance the diffusion of oxygen into the patient's bloodstream, promoting healing and combating infections.
The oxygen-hemoglobin saturation/dissociation curve also plays a role in how the body automatically regulates oxygen delivery to different tissues based on their metabolic needs. Tissues with higher metabolic rates receive more oxygen from dissociating hemoglobin due to the gradient created by their lower partial pressure of oxygen, and vice versa for tissues with lower metabolic rates, which helps maintain homeostasis.