Effect Of Oxygen Administration Protocols On Carbon Dioxide Accumulation In Emergency Pneumonia Patients

Abstract

Oxygen therapy is essential in the management of emergency pneumonia, but differing administration protocols may influence carbon dioxide CO₂ retention and overall respiratory safety. This research aims to evaluate the effects of various oxygen delivery strategies on CO₂ levels in 120 adult patients presenting with emergency pneumonia. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Low-Flow Nasal Cannula (LFNC), Medium-Flow Face Mask (MFM), or Titrated Oxygen (TOX) targeting optimal oxygen saturation . Transcutaneous carbon dioxide (TcCO₂) levels were measured at baseline, 20, 40, and 60 minutes, alongside continuous monitoring of , Respiratory Rate (RR), and arterial blood gases. The primary outcome was the temporal change in TcCO₂, while secondary outcomes assessed the proportion of patients exceeding clinically significant CO2 thresholds. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA with post-hoc comparisons (SPSS), with significance set at P < 0.05. Results demonstrated protocol-dependent differences in CO₂ accumulation. At 60 minutes, mean TcCO₂ rose by 42.0±3.2 mmHg in the Medium-Flow mask group (MFM), the Titrated Oxygen group (TOX), and the Low-Flow Nasal Cannula group (LFNC). Clinically significant elevations in TcCO₂ (≥4 mmHg) occurred in medium-flow patients, compared to the titrated group and the low-flow group. These findings suggest that titrated and low-flow oxygen protocols minimize CO₂ retention while maintaining adequate oxygenation, highlighting the importance of individualized oxygen therapy in emergency pneumonia to prevent hypercapnia and optimize respiratory safety.