What should you tell the patient to do after placing a nasal cannula?

• A. Tell the patient to breathe normally through the mouth and nose; many will hold their breath if asked to breathe through the nose.
• B. Instruct the patient to exhale forcefully through the nose only.
• C. Ask the patient to pause breathing until told otherwise.
• D. Tell the patient to breathe exclusively through the mouth.

Answer: (A)

With a nasal cannula, the goal is steady, comfortable oxygen delivery as you breathe in your usual pattern. Instruct the patient to breathe normally through both the nose and the mouth. Forcing nasal breathing can cause them to hold their breath, which interrupts oxygen delivery and can lead to desaturation or discomfort. Allowing natural breathing keeps the flow of oxygen continuous and easy for the patient.

Telling someone to exhale forcefully through the nose, pausing breathing, or breathing exclusively through the mouth would disrupt the normal, uninterrupted flow of oxygen and isn’t necessary for nasal cannula therapy.