Recovery from hypoxia is normally rapid, within how many seconds after oxygen is administered?

Recovery from hypoxia is normally rapid, within how many seconds after oxygen is administered?

• A. 5 seconds
• B. 10 seconds
• C. 15 seconds
• D. 30 seconds

Answer: (C)

Restoring oxygen quickly reverses cerebral hypoxia, and the brain responds in a very short time when oxygen is given. When a person breathes 100% oxygen, the alveolar PO2 rises rapidly, arterial oxygen content increases, and oxygen delivery to brain tissue improves almost immediately. Because the brain is highly sensitive to oxygen levels, this leads to a noticeable recovery of function within about 15 seconds. That 15-second timeframe is the standard teaching for how quickly recovery is expected after starting oxygen. Times like 5 or 10 seconds are typically too optimistic for reliable reversal, while 30 seconds would be longer than the usual rapid improvement.

Restoring oxygen quickly reverses cerebral hypoxia, and the brain responds in a very short time when oxygen is given. When a person breathes 100% oxygen, the alveolar PO2 rises rapidly, arterial oxygen content increases, and oxygen delivery to brain tissue improves almost immediately. Because the brain is highly sensitive to oxygen levels, this leads to a noticeable recovery of function within about 15 seconds. That 15-second timeframe is the standard teaching for how quickly recovery is expected after starting oxygen. Times like 5 or 10 seconds are typically too optimistic for reliable reversal, while 30 seconds would be longer than the usual rapid improvement.