Circuit Factors

Re: Circuit Factors

Sally Seddon — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 21:42:24 GMT

Passed this task in my OSCEs and I put a range answer. For example; 2.5 L/min - 3 L/min

Re: Circuit Factors

Alison Clare Hickman — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 19:46:19 GMT

I was taught the following:

Flow rate (FR) = Minute Volume (MV) x Circuit Factor (CF)

Minute volume = Tidal Volume (up to 20kg (cat and small to small- medium dog) is 15ml / kg; 20kg or greater is 10ml / kg) x normal resting respiration rate (take 20 bpm as an average)

So: in this case, 10kg dog on a Lack

Lack CF is 1-1.5

TV = 10 x 15 = 150 x 20 = 3000 x 1 or 1.5 = 3000ml (3 litres) or 4500ml (4.5 litres)

Then set oxygen flow rate to choice of either one, or mid-range as previous poster suggested.

To be honest, when I did my OSCE I used one CF only so as to avoid any confusion for examiner or me...

Hope this helps?

Ali h

Re: Circuit Factors

Susan Jackson — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 17:52:58 GMT

Depends on the circuit factor I would use the highest. Tidal volume 15mls per kg.

Your examiner may have needed you to make a decision on what you would set your flow rate to.