A UAP reports nasal passage discomfort in a patient receiving oxygen at 6 L/min. What intervention should you suggest to improve comfort?

• A. Humidify the patient's oxygen.
• B. Use a simple face mask instead of a nasal cannula.
• C. Provide the patient with an extra pillow.
• D. Have the patient sit up in a chair at the bedside.

Answer: (A)

Nasal discomfort from oxygen at a higher flow is often caused by drying of the nasal mucosa. Humidifying the oxygen adds moisture to the gas, which keeps the nasal passages moist, reduces irritation and crusting, and makes the patient more comfortable and able to tolerate the therapy. This direct approach targets the symptom and is particularly important when delivering oxygen at 6 L/min through a nasal cannula, where dryness is common.

Switching to a simple face mask doesn’t inherently address mucosal dryness and can feel less comfortable for some patients. Providing an extra pillow helps general comfort but doesn’t fix the nasal dryness. Having the patient sit up improves ventilation and comfort overall but still doesn’t treat the dryness of the nasal passages.