Try: Make sure that oxygen is flowing freely by quickly kinking and releasing the tubing listening for the rush of oxygen through the mask or the nasal cannula use mild soap and water to wipe the inside of the mask and the tips of the nasal cannula at least daily change the tubing and mask cannula as directed if cr uses a concentrator check and change or clean the filter as directed

Materials: Mild soap and water extra tubing and masks cannulas extra concentrator filters

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: oxygen use and care of equipment by head to toe care llc 2009 available at

Keywords: Breathing oxygen oxygen tank oxygen tubing oxygen mask concentrator

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Remove all clutter from the cr’s living area remove rugs and other items that may be tripping hazards if there are linoleum or slick floors in the living area encourage the cr to wear shoes at all times or socks with grips socks with grips are sometimes given to individuals who are admitted to the hospital or have special procedures there if these socks are saved they may come in handy in the future install handrails and grab bars in bathrooms hallways and bedrooms place non-slip mats in showers tubs and other slick surfaces

Materials: Socks with grips handrails and grab bars non-slip mats

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Some Supervision, Good Vision, So-So Vision, Fully Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Balance cleaning composure stability

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: #help the cr hold onto the kitchen chair #encourage the cr to hold on with one hand #encourage the cr to let go of the kitchen chair completely #practice several times a day to help improve balance

Materials: Kitchen chair

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Some Supervision, Good Vision, So-So Vision, Fully Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Balance composure exercise stability

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: #help the cr hold onto the wall facing toward the wall with feet shoulder-width apart # encourage the cr to hold on with one hand # encourage the cr to let go of the wall completely # practice several times a day to help improve balance

Materials: Wall

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Good Vision, Fully Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Balance composure exercise stability

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: # help the cr stand on one foot as you are holding onto his or her arms or hands # ask the cr to alternate feet # work up to letting go of the cr but stand close by as he or she continues this exercise #practice several times a day to help improve balance

Materials: n/a

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Good Vision, Fully Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Balance composure exercise stability

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: #place a six to eight foot long straight line on the floor using masking tape # help the cr walk the line as if he or she were walking on a balance beam #encourage the cr to walk the line alone #now encourage the cr to walk heal-to-toe provide help as needed #practice several times a day to help improve balance

Materials: Masking tape

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Good Vision, Fully Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Balance composure exercise stability

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Avoid smoking or candle burning keep oxygen away from heat source such as radiators or stoves avoid using aerosol spray cans avoid applying any petroleum based products around the face nose or mouth make sure that all electrical equipment and wires are in good working condition avoid overloading electrical outlets because this could spark and cause a fire do not use wool blankets because they create static electricity and could cause a fire avoid exposing a tank of oxygen to excessive heat be very careful not to drop a tank or allow it to fall ask oxygen supply companies to provide a rack for storage a tall sturdy plastic crates may also be used for storage oxygen tubing can easily become entangled so be careful when moving around the tank and tube

Materials: Tall sturdy plastic crate

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: oxygen use and care of equipment by head to toe care llc 2009 available at

Keywords: Breathing oxygen oxygen tubes

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Consider using add on equipment like a humidifier bottle to make the oxygen more moist fill the bottle with distilled water only up to the line marked fill and refill as needed if cr has dry nostrils apply k-y jelly with a q-tip to inside of cr’s nostrils id cr has dry mouth give the cr a piece of hard candy or ice chips to suck on or try using oral swabs available at medical supply stores and most pharmacies to moisten mouth if the cr has a dry throat give the cr some salt water to gargle to prevent skin irritation pad tubing with gauze or use over the ear cushions available at medical supply stores and most pharmacies

Materials: Humidifier bottle k-y jelly q-tips hard candy or ice chips oral swabs salt water gauze or over the ear cushions

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: oxygen use and care of equipment by head to toe care llc 2009 available at

Keywords: Breathing oxygen oxygen tubes dry mouth skin irritation dry throat

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Never leave a cr unattended on a bedside commode to protect the cg’s back always use legs to lift the cr, not back muscles move feet during the pivoting process to maintain proper back alignment if the cr has fragile skin remember to use hands and not fingers during transfer learn how to attach and detach wheelchair foot rests prior totransferring the cr if uncertain about the cr cr’s ability to assist with transfers have a second cg stand by to assist consider caring for an extremely weak cr in bed do not attempt to transfer any cr if the cg feels unable to lift the cr’s full weight keep in mind that despite best efforts during any transfer there is a potential for falling and or significant injury to both the cg and the cr

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile

Information: n/a

References: moving from wheelchair to bed by head to toe care llc 2009 available at

Keywords: Wheelchair transferring

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Locate the sturdy table get the pillows facial tissues and disposal bag turn on the electric fan assist the cr with the following breathing exercise sit upright straighten back and lean slightly forward inhale slowly and as deeply as possible through the nose hold for two to three seconds hold the pillows to the abdomen to support the abdominal muscles and then cough deeply repeat this coughing exercise three to four times if necessary clear any phlegm produced into tissues and discard into a disposable bag place pillows on table and position arms around the pillows as if embracing them rest head on pillows to allow fullest expansion of lungs exhale repeat this exercise four times a day

Materials: Sturdy table tall enough to raise the cr cr’s diaphragm when both elbows are placed on it for example a kitchen or dining room table several firm pillows clean not dusty electric fans facial tissues disposable bag

Categories: Medical Physical, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from the head to toe care llc internet website www headtotoecare com breathing exercise for emphysema and chronic bronchitis 2009

Keywords: Breathing coughs

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed