Oxygen Delivery Systems

🌬 OXYGEN DELIVERY SYSTEMS STUDY GUIDE

“Breathe easy” with this guide to mastering your O2 devices!

💨 1. Nasal Cannula 😌

👑 Queen of Comfort

• Flow Rate: 1–6 L/min

• FiO₂: 24–44%

• Best For: Stable patients needing a little O₂ boost

• Vibe: “I'm chill. Just here for support.”

• Key Tips:

  • Two prongs (1 for each nostril)

  • Can dry out nose—use humidifier!

  • Loops behind ears (not headband-style!)

• 🧠 Memory Hack: “You can Can-nula chill with low flow.”

😷 2. Simple Face Mask

👺 The Basic Buddy

• Flow Rate: 6–12 L/min

• FiO₂: 35–50%

• Best For: Short-term therapy

• Warning: Not good for claustrophobic patients or aspiration risk

• Extra Notes:

  • Has holes on sides for air exchange

  • Strap fits around head (tight but basic)

• 🧠 Memory Hack: "Simple mask? Simple math: medium flow, short time."

🎯 3. Venturi Mask

🎯 The Precision Player

• Flow Rate: 2–15 L/min

• FiO₂: 24–50% (PRECISE & VARIABLE!)

• Best For: COPD patients (💨 who can’t handle too much O₂)

• Pearl: Most accurate without intubation!

• 🧠 Memory Hack: “Venturi = Variable & Very accurate.”

😮‍💨 4. Non-Rebreather Mask (NRB)

🚨 The Emergency Expert

• Flow Rate: 10–15 L/min

• FiO₂: 60–90%

• Best For: Critically ill patients needing high O₂ now

• Setup:

  • One-way valves stop room air

  • Big reservoir bag stores extra O₂

• 🧠 Memory Hack: “Non-rebreather = No room air!”

🔥 5. High-Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC)

💪 The Beast Mode Cannula

• Flow Rate: Up to 60 L/min (WOW)

• FiO₂: 21–100%

• Best For: Respiratory failure, distress, airway pressure

• Notes:

  • Like nasal cannula, but jacked up 💪

  • Usually humidified to avoid drying out nose

• 🧠 Memory Hack: “Nasal cannula’s big sibling with superhero powers.”

🌬 6. Face Tent

🏕 The Gentle Giant

• Flow Rate: At least 10 L/min

• FiO₂: 24–100%

• Best For: Patients who can’t tolerate masks (burns, trauma)

• Special Perk: Humidified! Soft & non-invasive

• 🧠 Memory Hack: “Face tent = comfort camping for your face.”

🧠 BONUS COMPARISON TABLE (Quick Look)

🎓 Mini Pop Quiz:

1. Which device is best for COPD patients?
   Venturi Mask 🎯

2. Which one has a reservoir bag and one-way valves?
   Non-Rebreather Mask 🚨

3. Which one can go up to 100% FiO₂ and is humidified?
   High-Flow Nasal Cannula 💪