Which mask is best for precise oxygen delivery in COPD patients?

• A. Venturi mask
• B. Non-rebreather mask
• C. Simple face mask
• D. Nasal cannula

Answer: (A)

In COPD management, delivering a precise and known amount of oxygen is essential to maintain a safe oxygen saturation (often around 88–92%) and avoid the dangers of CO2 retention from excessive oxygen. The Venturi mask achieves this by using color-coded adapters that create a fixed entrainment ratio of room air with oxygen. This setup delivers a specific, predictable FiO2 regardless of how the patient breathes, making it the best choice when precise oxygen delivery is needed.

Other options do not provide the same level of control. A nasal cannula offers variable oxygen concentration depending on flow, breathing pattern, and whether the patient breathes through the nose or mouth. A simple face mask can deliver a higherFiO2, but its actual concentration fluctuates with mask fit and leakage, making it less reliable. A non-rebreather mask can deliver high oxygen concentrations, yet the delivered FiO2 depends on flow, mask seal, and reservoir conditions, leading to less precise control.