Originally designed for portable home oxygen therapy, reservoir nasal cannulas are finding increasing use in acute care settings. This article describes the indications for use of a reservoir nasal cannula, how the cannula works, its benefits, and its precautions. The influence of the fraction of inspired oxygen as related to alveolar and arterial oxygen concentrations is discussed. In addition, the authors present a case study of a patient treated with a reservoir nasal cannula.

Oxymizer and Oxymizer Pendant (CHAD Therapeutics Inc, Chatsworth, Calif) brand reservoir cannulas store oxygen in a reservoir during exhalation and deliver a bolus of 100% oxygen upon the next inhalation. These devices were originally designed for portable home oxygen therapy. However, they are finding increasing use in acute care settings for patients who are difficult to supply oxygen via standard nasal cannulas and as high-delivery alternatives to oxygen delivery via a face mask.1–,3...

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