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what happens when oxygen levels drop to 30?

Issue
my husband was 'accidently' given too much Dilaudid during his last hospital stay. When it was figured out, his oxygen level was at 30, and he was basically 'comatose'. He was put into ICU for 2 days. What type of long term problems should we anticipate?

Best Tip

Depending on how long his oxygen was that low, he could have some mild brain damage. Source(s): I am a respiratory therapist.

Others
Possible brain damage from lack of oxygen. peopl have functioned fine as low as 80 but I don't know about 30. I'm a student, not a nurse though.
If lasted for a short period, , hypoxia causes only inattentiveness, poor judgment, and motor in-coordination. Severe cases result in a state of complete unawareness and unresponsiveness where brain stem reflexes, including pupillary response to light and breathing reflex, stop. Only blood pressure and cardiac function are maintained. If this persists, brain death is inevitable.

If the lack of oxygen to the brain is limited to a very brief period of time, coma may be reversible with varying levels of return to function, depending on the extent of injury. Sometimes seizures may occur, which may be continuous (status epilepticus).

If lack of oxygen is sustained and prolonged, then brain damage may be permanent and death may result due to brain death.
It depends on how long he was like that.

Very short time? Nothing.

Several minutes? Brain damage.

Get a lawyer.
could cause brain damage...but I am pretty sure you would have noticed it by now depending on how long ago it was....could be no long term problems if it was caught fast enough....I've seen people drop down that low and come out fine.
I'm a nurse