Oxygenation

A nasal airway can be utilized on a conscious patient. It is also referred to as a nasopharyngeal

airway. It is measured in length from the tip of the nose to the earlobe. It holds the airway

open via the nostrils. It is advantageous because it does not elicit the gag reflex.

If the patient is breathing spontaneously, they can be protected from aspiration by placing them in a coma/recovery position. The patient is placed on their side with the downside arm

behind the head. This allows for vomiting without the risk of aspiration.

OXYGENATION

There are several ways to oxygenate a patient without having to ventilate them. This involves

providing a passive source of oxygen that the patient can inspire. There are several sources:

A. Nasal cannula—this involves giving a two-pronged device connected to an oxygen

source. The prongs are placed in the nose. The minimum amount of oxygen that can

be given this way is 2 liters per minute. Common doses of oxygen given this way are

2-6 lpm. These can provide 24-40 percent oxygen.

B. Simple face mask—this is a mask placed over the mouth and nose with oxygen

flowing from an attached tube. It can deliver 5-8 lpm with achievable oxygen

concentrations of 28-50 lpm.

C. Venturi mask—this is often used for COPD patients and delivers a specific amount of

oxygen at concentrations of up to 40 percent.

D. Partial rebreather mask—this has a mask with a reservoir bag that can increase the

concentration of oxygen to 5-15 lpm or 40-70 percent oxygen.

E. Non-rebreather mask—this has high dose oxygen at 8-10 liters per minute though a

mask and a reservoir like a partial rebreather mask. The difference is that it has a one-way valve that gets rid of expelled/exhaled air so that it delivers nearly 100

percent oxygen.

F. Demand oxygen delivery system or oxygen resuscitator—this is a mask that delivers

oxygen only when the patient inhales or when the provider presses a button on the