Chart — Oxygen Therapy
Oxygen Devices Comparison Chart
The device you pick is a trade between the FiO₂ you need and how precisely you can deliver it. This chart lines up the common oxygen delivery devices by flow, the FiO₂ they reach, whether that FiO₂ is fixed or drifts with the patient, the situations they fit, and the failure mode to watch for at the bedside.
Written by Apex Respiratory Editorial Team
Educational use only. This material supports respiratory therapy education and exam review. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for clinical judgment, institutional protocols, or physician orders. Always follow facility policies and current provider orders, and verify calculations independently before clinical use.
Delivery Devices Side by Side
| Device | Flow | Approx FiO₂ | Performance | Best Use | Watch For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nasal cannula | 1–6 L/min | 24–44% | Low-flow, variable | Stable mild hypoxemia, comfort | Drying / mucosal irritation above 4 L |
| Simple mask | 5–10 L/min | 35–50% | Low-flow, variable | Moderate needs, short-term | Must keep ≥ 5 L to avoid CO₂ rebreathing |
| Venturi mask | 2–15 L/min | Precise 24–50% | High-flow, fixed | COPD and any precise FiO₂ titration | Use the correct color adapter and flow |
| Partial rebreather | 10–15 L/min | 60–80% | Reservoir | Higher FiO₂, short-term | Keep the reservoir bag inflated |
| Non-rebreather | 10–15 L/min | 60–90% | Reservoir + valves | Emergency high FiO₂ | Valves, mask seal, and bag inflation |
| HFNC | Up to 60 L/min | 21–100% | High-flow, heated | Hypoxemic respiratory failure, comfort | Mild PEEP-like effect — it is not NIV |
| Trach collar | 8–10 L/min | Variable | Humidified | The tracheostomy patient | Humidification of the bypassed airway |
SpO₂ Targets
| Population | Target SpO₂ | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most acutely ill adults | 92–96% | Avoid both hypoxemia and unnecessary hyperoxia |
| COPD / chronic CO₂ retention | 88–92% | A higher target risks blunting respiratory drive and worsening hypercapnia |
Clinical Notes
- Low-flow FiO₂ is never fixed. With a nasal cannula or simple mask the delivered FiO₂ varies with the patient’s inspiratory demand — the faster and deeper they breathe, the more room air they entrain and the lower the actual FiO₂. The liter-flow numbers are estimates, not a set FiO₂.
- Humidify above 4 L/min. Dry oxygen above roughly 4 L/min on a nasal cannula irritates and dries the mucosa; add humidification for comfort and airway protection.
- Escalate the device with the need. When a patient outgrows a cannula, step up to a fixed-performance or reservoir device rather than just turning the flow higher on a device that cannot deliver more. When precision matters — COPD titration — reach for a Venturi mask.
Related Resources
Sources
- Kacmarek RM, Stoller JK, Heuer AJ. Egan's Fundamentals of Respiratory Care. 12th ed. Elsevier; 2021. Medical gas therapy.
- American Association for Respiratory Care. AARC Clinical Practice Guideline: Oxygen therapy for adults in the acute care facility — 2002 revision & update. Respir Care. 2002;47(6):717-720.