What is Nitronox and Entonox
Now we are going to have a look at Entonox
or Nitronox. It's an odourless, colourless gas, it's made up of two parts, 50% oxygen,
50% Nitrogen Oxide. It's used for mild to severe pain, it is a self-administered drug
and its drug code is N00. It comes in a cylinder, which is white and blue, which denotes it
from oxygen itself. So always check the colour of the cylinder and what the cylinder says
on the side before administration. It's very difficult to mix the two up because
the giving sets are different and not compatible. They will not work on each other, so you can
not actually give oxygen with a Nitronox or Entonox giving set. It's used from mild to
severe pain, pregnancy, trauma, chest pain, basically where a patient needs pain relief,
it's an easy, quick, self-administered analgesic to reduce pain. Even whilst we are working
to develop or to draw up a more appropriate or a stronger painkiller, Nitrous Oxide or
Entonox works very efficiently. Because it's made up of two particles of two different
gases, those gases do have a tendency to separate in the cylinder. If the cylinder is to be
used, especially in cold weather, or winter periods, the two gases separate inside the
bottle, so before usage, the bottle must be inverted, tipped a number of times just to
mix the gases inside the bottle before we administrate it to the patient.
Understanding Entonox (Nitronox)
1. Introduction to Entonox
Nitrous Oxide Analgesic:
- Entonox, also known as Nitronox, is an odourless and colourless gas used for pain relief.
- It consists of two components: 50% oxygen and 50% Nitrogen Oxide.
2. Medical Applications
Pain Relief Across Various Conditions:
- Entonox is employed to alleviate pain ranging from mild to severe.
- It is categorized under drug code N00.
- Commonly used in cases such as pregnancy, trauma, and chest pain.
3. Cylinder Identification
Recognizing Entonox Cylinders:
- Entonox cylinders are distinctively white and blue, distinguishing them from oxygen cylinders.
- Always verify the cylinder's colour and label before administering.
4. Incompatibility with Oxygen
Unique Giving Sets:
- Entonox and oxygen use different giving sets that are not interchangeable.
- They are designed to be incompatible, preventing accidental mix-ups.
5. Proper Mixing Before Use
Addressing Gas Separation:
- Due to the composition of two different gases, Nitronox can separate within the cylinder, especially in cold weather.
- Before administration, the cylinder must be inverted and tipped several times to thoroughly mix the gases.