Should I place any saline or ointments in the patient's nostrils when I insert the prongs?

Should I place any saline or ointments in the patient's nostrils when I insert the prongs?

You will need to place saline drops in each nostril before you insert the nasal prongs. You should NOT place any creams or ointments in the nostrils, as this can cause breakdown of the tissue and block the airflow through the prongs.