Which sequence correctly describes how oxygen travels from the cylinder to the patient?

Which sequence correctly describes how oxygen travels from the cylinder to the patient?

• A. Cylinder → Flowmeter → Pressure regulator → Common gas outlet → Breathing system → Patient
• B. Cylinder → Pressure regulator → Flowmeter → Common gas outlet → Breathing system → Patient
• C. Flowmeter → Cylinder → Pressure regulator → Common gas outlet → Breathing system → Patient
• D. Cylinder → Common gas outlet → Breathing system → Flowmeter → Patient

Answer: (B)

Gas delivery from a compressed cylinder must first be brought down to a safe, workable pressure before any flow is measured or delivered. The pressure regulator lowers the high cylinder pressure to a constant working pressure, then the flowmeter sets the desired rate of gas entering the breathing system. The gas then passes through the common gas outlet into the breathing system and finally reaches the patient. This order matters because the regulator protects the equipment and ensures the flowmeter can accurately control flow; placing the flowmeter before the regulator or routing gas through the outlet before measurement would bypass essential control and safety steps.

Gas delivery from a compressed cylinder must first be brought down to a safe, workable pressure before any flow is measured or delivered. The pressure regulator lowers the high cylinder pressure to a constant working pressure, then the flowmeter sets the desired rate of gas entering the breathing system. The gas then passes through the common gas outlet into the breathing system and finally reaches the patient. This order matters because the regulator protects the equipment and ensures the flowmeter can accurately control flow; placing the flowmeter before the regulator or routing gas through the outlet before measurement would bypass essential control and safety steps.