Giving oxygen via nasal cannula or mask

Giving oxygen according to the order and target saturation, choosing the right system, monitoring the person and controlling the fire risk — a core procedure in COPD and pneumonia.

Content created with AI assistance from public clinical sources (RKI, AWMF) – may contain mistakes; if in doubt, your textbook is right

Translated from the German original, which is authoritative. The exam itself is in German.

Material

• Medical order with flow rate or target saturation
• Oxygen source (wall outlet, oxygen cylinder with sufficient filling level, or concentrator) with flowmeter
• Nasal cannula, simple oxygen mask or mask with reservoir bag, connecting tubing; humidifier only according to local policy
• Pulse oximeter, ear padding if needed, water-based skin protection
• Sign “No smoking, no open flames” according to local policy

Typical mistakes in the exam

• Giving oxygen without an order or target saturation (outside an emergency)
• Turning it up to a target saturation of 98 % for people with COPD
• Running a simple mask at less than 5 l/min
• Looking only at the SpO2 and not observing consciousness and respiratory rate
• Using greasy cream on the nose or lips
• Missing pressure sores behind the ears

What examiners ask afterwards

• Why is the target saturation lower for a person with COPD?
• How do you recognise beginning CO2 narcosis, and what do you do then?
• When do you choose a nasal cannula and when a mask?
• Which safety rules do you explain to a person using oxygen at home?
• A patient demands that you turn the oxygen up. How do you respond?

Sources

• S3-Leitlinie Sauerstoff in der Akuttherapie beim Erwachsenen (AWMF, federführend: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Pneumologie und Beatmungsmedizin)
• S2k-Leitlinie Langzeit-Sauerstofftherapie (AWMF, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Pneumologie und Beatmungsmedizin)
• Herstellerangaben und Sicherheitshinweise zu medizinischem Sauerstoff, Flaschen und Konzentratoren