What are common signs of oxygen toxicity in patients?

Oxygen toxicity occurs when a patient receives an excessive concentration of oxygen, leading to harmful physiological effects. The symptoms of oxygen toxicity can vary based on the duration and level of exposure to high concentrations of oxygen.

Common signs include chest pain, difficulty breathing, coughing, and altered consciousness. These symptoms arise because elevated oxygen levels can create an environment where oxygen free radicals damage lung tissues, leading to inflammation and impaired gas exchange. The presence of symptoms like chest pain and difficulty breathing suggests that the lungs are reacting negatively to the excess oxygen, while coughing may reflect an attempt to clear the lungs or a sign of irritation. Altered consciousness may occur due to central nervous system effects when exposed to high levels of oxygen over prolonged periods, as the brain is highly sensitive to changes in oxygen levels.

Other options do not directly correlate with classical signs of oxygen toxicity as seen in clinical practice. While headaches and fatigue can be general symptoms of many conditions, they are not specific indicators of oxygen toxicity. Increased heart rate and excessive sweating might also not be specific and could have various causes unrelated to oxygen levels. Dry skin and hair loss do not relate to acute oxygen toxicity and are therefore not considered classic signs of this condition.