Advantages of Nasal Cannulas

- can be used on adults, children, and infants 

- easy to use

- disposable

- low cost

- well tolerated

Disadvantages of Nasal Cannulas

- unstable

- easily dislodged

- high flow is uncomfortable

- can cause dryness and bleeding in mucous membrane

- polyps

- deviated septum and mouth breathing may reduce Fi02

Best Use of Nasal Cannulas

- patient in a stable condition who needs low Fi02

- home-care patients who need long-term therapy, low to moderate Fi02 while eating

Advantages of Nasal Catheters

- can be used on adults, children, and infants

- good stability

- disposable

- low cost

Disadvantages of Nasal Catheters

- difficult to insert

- high-flow increases back pressure

- needs regular changing

- polyps, deviated septum may block insertion

- may provoke gagging, air swallowing, aspiration

Best Use of Nasal Catheters

- procedures in which nasal cannula is difficult to use (bronchoscopy)

- long-term care of infants

Advantages of Transtracheal Catheters

- lower 02 use and cost

- eliminates nasal and skin irritation

- improved compliance

- increased exercise tolerance

- increased mobility

- enhanced image

Disadvantages of Transtracheal Catheters

- high cost

- surgical complications

- infection

- mucous plugging

- lost tract

Best Use of Transtracheal Cathethers

Home-care or ambulatory patients who need increased mobility or do not accept nasal O2

Advantages of Reservoir Cannulas

- lower 02 use and cost

- increase mobility

- less discomfort because of lower flow

Disadvantages of Reservoir Cannulas

- unattractive, cumbersome

- poor compliance

- must be regularly replaced

- breathing pattern affects performance

Best Use of Reservoir Cannulas

Home-care or ambulatory patients who need increased mobility

Disadvantages of Simple Masks

Advantages of Simple Masks

- can be used on adults, children, and infants

- quick, easy to apply

- disposable

- inexpensive

Best Use of Simple Masks

- emergencies

- short-term therapy requiring moderate Fi02

- mouth-breathing patients requiring inadequate Fi02

Advantages of Partial Rebreathing Masks

- can be used on adults, childrens, and infants

- quick, and easy to apply

- disposable

- inexpensive

- moderate to high Fi02

Disadvantages of Partial Rebreathing Masks

- uncomfortable

- must be removed for eating

- prevents radiant heat loss

- blocks vomitus in unconscious patients

- potential suffocation hazard

Best Use of Partial Rebreathing Masks

- emergencies

- short-term therapy requiring moderate to high Fi02

Advantages of Nonrebreathing Masks

- can be used on adults, children, and infants

- quick and easy to apply

- disposable

- inexpensive

- high Fi02

Disadvantages of Nonrebreathing Masks

- uncomfortable

- must be removed for eating

- prevents radiant heat loss

- blocks vomitus in unconscious patients

- potential suffocation hazard

Best Use of Nonrebreathing Masks

- emergencies

- short-term therapy requiring high Fi02

Advantages of Nonrebreathing Masks (Closed)

full range of Fi02

Disadvantages of Nonrebreathing Masks (Closed)

- potential suffocation hazard

 - requires 50 psi air / 02

- blender failure common

Best Use of Nonrebreathing Masks (Closed)

patients who need precise 02 at any level (21-100%)

Advantages of AEMs

- easy to apply

- disposable

- inexpensive

- stable, precise Fi02

Disadvantages of AEMs

- limited for adult use

- uncomfortable, noisy

- must be removed for eating

- Fi02 >0.40 not ensured

- Fi0 varies with back pressure

Best Use of AEMs

patients in unstable conditions who need precise low Fi02

Advantages of Air-Entrainment Nebulizers

provides temperature control and extra humidification

Disadvantages of Air-Entrainment Nebulizers

- Fi02 <0.28 or >0.40 not ensured

- Fi02 varies with back pressure

- high infection risk

Best Use of Air-Entrainment Nebulizers

patients with artificial airways who need low to moderate Fi02

Advantages of Blending Systems (Open)

full range of Fi02

Disadvantages of Blending Systems (Open)

- requires 50 psi air / 02

- blender failure or inaccuracy common

Best Use of Blending Systems (Open)

patients with high Ve who need high Fi02

Advantages of High Flow Nasal Cannula Systems

- wide range of Fi02 and relative/absolute humidity

- can be used on adults, children and infants

Disadvantages of High Flow Nasal Cannula Systems

- Fi02 not ensured depending on input flow and patient breathing pattern

-infection risk

Best Use of High Flow Nasal Cannula Systems

patients of all ages with high 02 variable Ve who need supplemental 02, positive pressure, or humidity

Advantages of Oxyhoods

full range of Fi02

Disadvantages of Oxyhoods

difficult to clean, and disinfect

Best Use of Oxyhoods

infants who need supplemental 02

Advantages of Isolettes

provides temperature control

Disadvantages of Isolettes

- expensive, cumbersome, and unstable Fi02 (leaks)

- difficult to clean and disinfect

- limits patient mobility

- fire hazard

Best Use of Isolettes

infants who need supplemental 02 and precise thermal regulation

Disadvantages of Tents

- expensive, cumbersome, and unstable Fi02 (leaks)

- requires cooling

- difficult to clean and disinfect

- limits patient mobility

- fire hazard

Advantages of Tents

provides concurrent aerosol therapy

Best Use of Tents

toddlers or small children who need low to moderate Fi02 and aerosol

Nasal Cannula

Low Flow

1/4 - 8 L/min (adult); =<2 L/min (infant)

22-40% FiO2

Variable FiO2

Nasal Catheter

Low Flow

 1/4 - 8 L/min

22-45% FiO2

variable FiO2

Transtracheal Catheter

Low Flow

1/4 - 4 L/min

22-35% FiO2

variable FiO2

Reservoir Cannula

Low Flow

1/4 - 4 L/min

22-35% FiO2

Variable FiO2

Simple Mask

Low Flow

5-10 L/min

35-50% FiO2

Variable FiO2

Partial Rebreathing Mask

Low Flow

Minimum 10 L/min

40-70% FiO2

Variable FiO2

Nonrebreathing Mask

Low Flow

Minimum 10 L/min

60-80% FiO2

Variable FiO2

Nonrebreathing Mask (Closed)

Low Flow

3 x Ve L/min

21-100% FiO2

Variable FiO2

AEM

High Flow

Varies; >60 L/min output

24-50% FiO2

Fixed FiO2

Air-Entrainment Nebulizer

High Flow

10-15 L/min input; at least 60 L/min output

28-100% FiO2

Fixed FiO2

Blending Station (Open)

High Flow

Output of at least 60 L/min

21-100% FiO2

Fixed FiO2

High-Flow Nasal Cannula System

High Flow

Up to 40 L/min

35-90% FiO2

Variable or fixed FiO2

Oxyhood

Enclosure

> 7 L/min

21-100% FiO2

Fixed FiO2

Isolette

Enclosure

8-15 L/min

40-50% FiO2

Variable FiO2

Tent

Enclosure

12-15 L/min

40-50% FiO2

Variable FiO2