International emergency nursing
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The article examines the evidence for giving oxygen routinely to patients with suspected myocardial infarction, and addresses the challenges in changing practice. ⋯ A systematic review of studies did not confirm that the use of routine oxygen in the acute stages of a myocardial infarction reduces myocardial ischemia. In reality, some evidence suggests that oxygen may even increase myocardial ischemia. Therefore it is crucial that emergency care nurses/practitioners across the world use observation skills and monitoring such as pulse oximetry to recognise the clinical need for supplementary oxygen to be given to a patient.