A patient is receiving O2 through a nonrebreathing mask set at 8 L/min. What should you do if the mask's reservoir bag collapses completely before the end of each inspiration?

When a patient is using a nonrebreathing mask and the reservoir bag collapses completely before the end of each inspiration, it indicates that the flow of oxygen is insufficient to meet the patient's inspiratory needs. A nonrebreathing mask is designed to provide a higher concentration of oxygen, and the reservoir bag serves as a source of oxygen that the patient can draw upon during inhalation.

Increasing the liter flow will ensure that the reservoir bag remains inflated, allowing the patient to inhale a consistent and adequate supply of oxygen. This is crucial in situations where a patient may have significantly increased oxygen demands due to various factors such as respiratory distress, hypoxemia, or increased work of breathing.

Decreasing the liter flow would worsen the situation by further collapsing the reservoir bag and leaving the patient at risk for inadequate oxygenation. Switching to a nasal cannula would not provide the same concentration of oxygen needed for the patient, and replacing the mask may not effectively address the issue of oxygen flow. Thus, increasing the liter flow is the appropriate response to maintain proper oxygen delivery.