Question

A client is ordered to receive oxygen therapy via nasal cannula at 4 L/minute. When providing care to this client, which of the following would the nurse need to keep in mind? Select all that apply.

a) The client's mouth breathing will decrease the amount of oxygen delivered.
b) The client must have clear, patent nasal passages
c) The maximum flow rate that can be used is 6 L/min
d) The oxygen concentration delivered will remain constant despite changes in breathing pattern
e) The oxygen needs to be humidified to prevent drying of the mucosa

Answer 1

The nurse must ensure the client has clear nasal passages for the oxygen therapy to be effective, recognize that mouth breathing can reduce oxygen delivery, and understand the need to humidify the oxygen to prevent mucosal drying.

Step-by-step explanation:

When providing care to a client who is receiving oxygen therapy via nasal cannula at 4 L/minute, a nurse should consider several factors:

• The client's mouth breathing will decrease the amount of oxygen delivered, as nasal breathing is more effective at filtering, warming, and moistening the air. This is crucial for efficient gas exchange in the alveoli.
• The client must have clear, patent nasal passages for the nasal cannula to deliver the prescribed oxygen level effectively, ensuring that air can flow freely.
• The oxygen concentration delivered will not remain constant despite changes in breathing pattern; it can vary with different rates and depths of respiration.
• The oxygen needs to be humidified to prevent drying of the mucosa, which could lead to discomfort and potential injury to the nasal and airway mucosa.
• While not a selectable answer in this case, it is worth knowing that the maximum flow rate for a nasal cannula is typically up to 6 L/min, above which higher levels of support may be required.