Final answer:
A patient receives 24% to 44% oxygen when using a nasal cannula with a flow rate of 1-6 LPM. Oxygen saturation is monitored with a pulse oximeter, and in emergencies like carbon monoxide poisoning, 100% oxygen is crucial for treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient receives oxygen through a nasal cannula at a flow rate of 1-6 LPM (liters per minute), they typically receive between 24% to 44% oxygen. This percentage increases by approximately 4% for each 1 LPM increase in flow, starting from 1 LPM. At 1 LPM, the patient receives about 24% oxygen, and at 6 LPM, the oxygen percentage may go up to about 44%. It's important to monitor oxygen saturation using a pulse oximeter to ensure sufficient oxygen delivery, as normal readings range from 95-100%. Assuring proper oxygen percentages is critical, especially in situations like carbon monoxide poisoning, where providing 100% oxygen is necessary for patient recovery. This is because oxygen directly competes with carbon monoxide for binding sites on hemoglobin, effectively displacing the carbon monoxide and allowing for better oxygen delivery to tissues.