What is a potential adverse effect of using high-flow nasal cannula oxygen?

Utilizing high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy can indeed lead to nasal mucosal injury or bleeding. This occurs because HFNC delivers oxygen at higher flows, which can create substantial drying and irritation of the nasal passages. In addition, the high airflow can lead to increased pressure in the nasal cavity, causing potential trauma to the delicate mucosal surfaces. If the mucosa becomes excessively dry or irritated, it can lead to inflammation and bleeding.

On the other hand, the other options address beneficial effects rather than adverse effects. While increased oxygen saturation levels and reduced workload of breathing can be positive outcomes of using HFNC, they do not highlight a risk. Improved delivery of medications is also a beneficial aspect related to the use of high-flow systems, especially for aerosolized medication delivery, but again, does not pertain to potential adverse effects. Understanding these dynamics is critical to ensuring patient safety while administering oxygen therapy.