18.  Can you use the bovie while a patient receives nasal oxygen?  How do OR fires occur?

Answer:
Nasal oxygen should probably not be used with the electrocautery if possibly avoided.  OR fires occur when three components are present: heat, fuel and oxidizer.  Heat can come from monopolar, bipolar, lasers, drills and fiberoptics.  Fuels include drapes, hair, plastic tubing, alcohol, and benzoin.  In enriched oxygen environments many materials become flammable.

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