氧氣治療是提供給需要加強動脈氧合作用的患者，諸如因肺內氣體交換功能障礙的呼吸疾患，或因氧氣無法輸送至細胞的種種狀況，如心肌梗塞等。其實氧氣治療是臨床上非常普遍且有效的治療，從內科疾病、緊急狀況、到外科問題等都可能照護到需要接受氧療的患者。而護理的角色不僅需具備有關氧療的知識和技巧的熟悉外，更重要是提供支持、保證並獲得患者的信賴，以維持氧氣治療的配合或順應性。本文討論相關缺氣的病生理影響、氧療設備及氧療護理的指引，希望藉此可以提高臨床上氧氣治療照護品質。

　　　　　Oxygen therapy is administered to patients who require enhanced oxygenation of their arterial blood, patients with, for example, respiratory conditions which have resulted in impaired gaseous exchanges in the lungs, or many conditions that impair oxygen delivery to the tissues, such as myocardial infarction. Generally speaking, oxygen is an effective drug which is used very commonly in clinics. From internal medical problems, to emergency situations, even surgical problems, all of us care for patients receiving oxygen therapy sometimes. Regardless of the nurse's knowledge and skills in relation to oxygen therapy, the key nursing role is to support and reassure the patient and gain his or her confidence in order to maintain compliance with the treatment. This article discusses the pathophysiological changes associated with hypoxia, oxygen delivery devices, and guidelines for caring for patients requiring supplemental oxygen. We expect this article to contribute to improvements in the quality of clinical oxygen therapy.