Which device provides the highest oxygen concentration?

The non-rebreather mask is designed to provide the highest concentration of oxygen to a patient. This device features a reservoir bag and a one-way valve that prevents exhaled air from returning to the bag. When the patient inhales, they receive oxygen from the reservoir, which allows for a significant volume of oxygen to be delivered directly to the lungs.

This method of oxygen delivery is particularly effective in emergencies when rapid and high concentrations of oxygen are essential, such as in cases of respiratory distress or hypoxemia. Due to its design, a non-rebreather mask can deliver oxygen concentrations between 80% and 100%, making it the most efficient among common oxygen delivery systems.

Other devices, while useful in different contexts, do not achieve the same oxygen concentration. A nasal cannula typically offers a lower concentration due to mixing with ambient air, while a standard mask cannot achieve the same level of oxygen delivery as a non-rebreather because it lacks a reservoir and does not have a one-way valve. The bag-valve-mask resuscitator, while capable of delivering a high concentration of oxygen, is typically employed in advanced life support scenarios and requires proper technique to ensure effectiveness.