Question

A nurse uses a nasal cannula to deliver oxygen to a client who is extremely hypoxic and has been diagnosed with chronic lung disease. What is the most important thing to remember when using a nasal cannula?

a) It can cause anxiety in clients who are claustrophobic.
b) It can result in an inconsistent amount of oxygen.
c) It can create a risk of suffocation.
d) It can cause the nasal mucosa to dry in case of high flow.

Answer 1

When using a nasal cannula to deliver oxygen, it is important to remember that it can cause the nasal mucosa to dry.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most important thing to remember when using a nasal cannula to deliver oxygen is that it can cause the nasal mucosa to dry, especially in case of high flow. This is because the nasal passages naturally warm and humidify the air as it enters the body, which helps prevent damage to the lungs and ward off infection. However, when using a nasal cannula, this warming and humidifying process is bypassed, which can result in drying of the nasal mucosa.