Nasal cannula or high-flow oxygen for patients with COPD in acute respiratory distress?

Abstract

There may be some confusion regarding the use of supplemental oxygen in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are experiencing acute respiratory distress. This article addresses a common nursing misconception regarding the use of high-flow oxygen administration via non-rebreather masks instead of low-flow oxygen administration via nasal cannulas in patients with COPD who are in acute respiratory distress, an issue that was investigated in a simulation education exercise and survey of the nursing staff at the authors' facility.