A 70-year-old patient diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia is admitted from a nursing home.Arterial blood gases indicate a mild hypoxemia,and her chest film shows consolidation in both lower lobes.Her respirations are stable and she has a normal breathing pattern.The physician would like to give her a low concentration of oxygen.Which of the following devices would you recommend?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A nasal cannula is the most appropriate device for a patient with mild hypoxemia and stable respirations. It provides low concentration oxygen, ranging from 24% to 44%, and is well-tolerated by patients. A simple mask, air-entrainment mask, and nonrebreathing mask are used for patients with more severe hypoxemia or unstable respirations.

A 70-Year-Old Patient Diagnosed with Bilateral Pneumonia Is Admitted from a Nursing