What does a nasal cannula look like?

What does a nasal cannula look like?

• A. A mask that covers the nose and mouth
• B. A tube placed into the ear
• C. A nasal cannula is a single prong device
• D. Two short prongs placed into the nostrils and tubing behind the ears

Answer: (D)

A nasal cannula is made of two small, curved prongs that sit in the nostrils, with tubing that runs along the cheeks and behind the ears to connect to the oxygen source. This design is what distinguishes it from a full-face mask, which covers the nose and mouth, and from devices that aren’t used for delivering oxygen in the same way. The option describing a single prong doesn’t fit the usual nasal cannula, which uses two prongs. This setup allows comfortable, ongoing oxygen delivery while still permitting talking and eating.

A nasal cannula is made of two small, curved prongs that sit in the nostrils, with tubing that runs along the cheeks and behind the ears to connect to the oxygen source. This design is what distinguishes it from a full-face mask, which covers the nose and mouth, and from devices that aren’t used for delivering oxygen in the same way. The option describing a single prong doesn’t fit the usual nasal cannula, which uses two prongs. This setup allows comfortable, ongoing oxygen delivery while still permitting talking and eating.