Which oxygen delivery device covers both the mouth and nose, making it more suitable for mouth breathers than a standard nasal cannula?

Which oxygen delivery device covers both the mouth and nose, making it more suitable for mouth breathers than a standard nasal cannula?

• A. Nasal cannula
• B. Simple face mask
• C. Non-rebreather mask
• D. Venturi mask

Answer: (B)

When oxygen needs to reach through both airway passages, the interface that covers both the mouth and the nose provides more reliable delivery for someone who breathes through the mouth. A simple face mask sits over the nose and mouth, creating a seal that minimizes oxygen loss through the mouth and delivers a higher effective FiO2 at modest flow rates compared to a nasal cannula, which only feeds oxygen through the nostrils. This makes it a better choice for mouth breathers. While other masks can also cover both areas, the simple face mask is the straightforward option designed for this purpose, giving a practical balance of coverage and ease of use.

When oxygen needs to reach through both airway passages, the interface that covers both the mouth and the nose provides more reliable delivery for someone who breathes through the mouth. A simple face mask sits over the nose and mouth, creating a seal that minimizes oxygen loss through the mouth and delivers a higher effective FiO2 at modest flow rates compared to a nasal cannula, which only feeds oxygen through the nostrils. This makes it a better choice for mouth breathers. While other masks can also cover both areas, the simple face mask is the straightforward option designed for this purpose, giving a practical balance of coverage and ease of use.