The nasal cannula (Figure 1) is a low-flow oxygen administration system designed to add oxygen to room air when the patient inspires.
Indications:
�� Patients with adequate spontaneous respiratory effort, airway
protective mechanism, and tidal volume
�� Patients with arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation <94%
�� Patients with minimal respiratory or oxygenation problems
�� Patients who cannot tolerate a face mask
Never withhold oxygen from patients who have respiratory distress and severe hypoxemia simply because you suspect a hypoxic ventilatory drive. If oxygen administration depresses respiration, support ventilation.
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