What change should a therapist recommend for a patient on a non-rebreathing mask at 10 L/min?

For a patient on a non-rebreathing mask set at 10 L/min, it is essential to ensure that the patient is receiving the appropriate level of supplemental oxygen to maintain adequate oxygenation. A non-rebreathing mask is designed to deliver a high concentration of oxygen, and it requires a flow rate sufficient to keep the reservoir bag inflated during the patient's inspiratory effort.

Increasing the flow to 14 L/min is recommended because it allows for a higher delivery of oxygen, ensuring that the reservoir bag remains adequately filled. This is crucial because when the bag is not adequately filled, the patient may not receive the intended high concentration of oxygen. Ideally, the flow should be set high enough so that the reservoir bag remains filled even during periods of inspiration.

In practice, a flow rate that is too low may result in the mask not delivering an adequate concentration of oxygen, especially when the patient takes a deeper breath. Therefore, increasing the flow rate to 14 L/min directly enhances the effectiveness of the non-rebreathing mask in providing high-flow oxygen therapy.