When using a nasal cannula, what is the typical percentage of oxygen delivered at 2 Litres/Minute?

A nasal cannula is a common device used to deliver supplemental oxygen to patients. When delivering oxygen through a nasal cannula, the percentage of oxygen inhaled by the patient can vary depending on the flow rate. At a flow rate of 2 liters per minute, the typical percentage of oxygen delivered is around 24%.

This percentage is calculated based on the fact that each liter of supplemental oxygen provides an approximate increase of 4% to the room air concentration of oxygen, which is around 21%. Therefore, at 2 liters per minute, the calculation is 21% + (2 liters x 4%) which equals 29%. However, studies and standard practices often round this number to around 24% for practical purposes when using a nasal cannula.

Understanding these percentages is crucial for paramedics as they need to accurately assess and provide adequate oxygen therapy to patients, ensuring they receive enough supplemental oxygen to manage their respiratory needs effectively.