Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

Which of the following is a machine that changes air in a room into air with more oxygen?

1. Oxygen filter

2. Oxygen tank

3. Oxygen concentrator

4. Oxygen supply valve

The correct answer is: Oxygen concentrator

An oxygen concentrator is a machine specifically designed to take in ambient air and deliver concentrated oxygen to the patient. This device works by filtering out nitrogen and other gases, thereby increasing the oxygen concentration in the air that it provides. It is commonly used in medical settings for patients with respiratory conditions who need higher oxygen levels than what is typically available in the environment. In contrast, an oxygen tank is a portable container that holds compressed oxygen but does not change the composition of air; it simply stores and delivers oxygen. An oxygen filter might imply a device designed to purify air but does not specifically concentrate oxygen. An oxygen supply valve is a component found in systems that manage the flow of oxygen but does not perform the function of concentrating it. Thus, the proper answer is the oxygen concentrator, as it actively changes the air in a room into air that contains a higher concentration of oxygen.