Nasal cannulas behind the head

Published

Does anyone actually run the NC behind the head, instead of under the chin?

I've been watching Chicago's Finest. Multiple questionable scenes including this.

Is the nasal cannula ever used this way?

Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.

I have seen many patients do this for different reasons, mainly bc of the irritation it causes to the ears.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Just FYI - there's a Youtube clip that shows how to wear face masks so the ear straps don't irritate ears. And some approaches make for a BETTER fit. Or provide for better wearer aeration.

Interesting, to say the least.

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I work with developmentally delayed adults. Some individuals just can't resist any type of tubing and although we have orders for mitts, they're not secure enough to deter our more determined residents (makes catheters and G-tubes quite an adventure). We never put the tubing for O2 behind their ears. To prevent strangulation, I put the tubing so the connecting part is toward the top of their head instead of behind it, and secure the sliding part where it connects with tape so it can't fit down over their heads.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

Craniotomy patients. Sometimes the ears are covered and we do that.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med/Surg, ICU Stepdown.

I see some patients do this. One patient was bothered by her NG tube hanging down so she flipped it up and taped it to her forehead ? it was sticking straight up. Wouldn't work for suction but we were able to give meds through it... only option since she refused to untape it... would have taken a pic if not for HIPAA

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Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.
On 5/1/2020 at 6:15 AM, Wuzzie said:

On babies and toddlers all the time.

And we run the tubing down their back, inside their clothing. Out of sight, out of mind.

And, yes, these kids always have someone with them.

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Specializes in Community health.

I rarely deal with oxygen in my job, so anytime I have to call an ambulance and the provider says “Give him some O2 while we wait,” I get all confused and can’t figure out the cannula. I always run it behind their head and the EMTs always show up and immediately flip it around. It’s embarrassing... X-D

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I did that on my very first day in clinicals because that’s how I had always seen it on TV and they didn’t teach us to do it the other way in school. I still cringe thinking about it and that was about 10-11 years ago. I can laugh about it now thought at least!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Yes, we do it for post head & neck surgery patients

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