Skill sheet · About 5 minutes
Oxygen Administration by Non-Rebreather Mask
This is a mechanical station. Points come from assembling the equipment in the right order and stating flow rates out loud — most failures are procedural, not clinical.
Step-by-step order
- Verbalize BSI precautions.
- Gather the tank, regulator, and non-rebreather mask.
- Crack the tank valve briefly to clear debris from the port.
- Attach the regulator with the pin index seated and the washer in place, then tighten by hand.
- Open the tank and check the pressure — verbalize whether it is adequate.
- Attach the non-rebreather tubing and set the flow to 12–15 L/min.
- Pre-inflate the reservoir bag before applying the mask.
- Apply the mask, mold the nose clip, and adjust the strap for a seal.
- Confirm the reservoir does not fully collapse on inspiration; verbalize reassessment.
- Discontinue properly: remove the mask, close the tank, then bleed the regulator.
Critical fail criteria
- Failed to take or verbalize BSI precautions.
- Failed to assemble the regulator to the tank without leaks.
- Failed to pre-fill the reservoir bag before application.
- Delivered the wrong flow rate for the device.
- Failed to check tank pressure.
- Failed to apply the mask correctly or verify a seal.
Say-it-out-loud script
Examiners score what they hear. Narrate the station: "BSI in place. Cracking the tank to clear the port. Regulator seated on the pin index, hand-tight, no leaks. Tank pressure is adequate. Flow set to 15 liters per minute, reservoir pre-filled, applying the mask and molding the nose clip. Reservoir stays partially inflated on inspiration."
FAQ
What flow rate does a non-rebreather need?
12–15 L/min, enough to keep the reservoir from collapsing during inspiration. It delivers roughly 80–90% oxygen.
What flow rate does a nasal cannula use?
1–6 L/min for about 24–44% oxygen. Above 6 L/min it dries mucosa without meaningfully improving delivery.
In what order do I shut the system down?
Remove the device from the patient, close the tank valve, then bleed the remaining pressure from the regulator.
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