Next, I need to determine if Bud needs oxygen at home. We have a monitor that clips on a patient s finger and reads the patient s oxygen level. I will need to take a reading while he is on oxygen, then take him off oxygen for 30 minutes and take another reading. If the level is low, he will need oxygen at home. Although it is technically simple, you have to be sensitive to the patients needs.
Most patients don t like the idea of being on oxygen at home.
We need to prepare them for the possibility that they will need to wear oxygen all the time. My guess is that Bud will need home oxygen. Before starting the test, Bud and I have a long talk about oxygen at home. I help him understand why he might need it. I also explain the options of having portable oxygen.