When providing oxygen therapy, what should you monitor on the resident's skin?

• A. Irritation or breakdown from tubing.
• B. Room temperature.
• C. Color of the furniture.
• D. Resident's appetite.

Answer: (A)

Oxygen tubing or a nasal cannula rests on the skin, where pressure, friction, and moisture can cause irritation or skin breakdown. The main thing to monitor is the skin under and around the tubing or cannula—look for redness, warmth, tenderness, sores, or any signs of breakdown. Regularly inspect those areas, keep the skin clean and dry, and ensure the tubing is positioned correctly and not too tight. If irritation or a breach in skin integrity appears, adjust the fit and alert the nurse so precautions can be taken to prevent infection and further damage. Other factors like room temperature, furniture color, or appetite don’t reflect skin condition and aren’t the priority to monitor for this therapy.