Administering oxygen via nasal cannula while treating a patient with CPAP increases the fraction of inspired oxygen and doesn’t typically interfere with the mask seal, reports the Journal of Emergency Medical Services.
The most crucial factor in airway management is patient positioning. Improper positioning can, and frequently does, inhibit effective ventilation and oxygenation.
It’s commonly taught that patients must be supine to enable airway management. This teaching is flawed, as supine is the most dangerous position for a patient with a compromised airway. The most detrimental position for a patient, from an airway perspective, is flat on their back.
