What is a disadvantage of nasal masks?

Nasal masks can lead to mouth leak and nasal irritation, which is a significant disadvantage when using this type of noninvasive ventilation. Mouth leak occurs when air escapes through the mouth instead of being delivered to the lungs, which may diminish the effectiveness of the ventilation support and can lead to inadequate treatment of the patient's respiratory condition. Additionally, the design of nasal masks may cause irritation to the skin and mucous membranes around the nose, resulting in discomfort or even sores over extended use. These issues can impact patient compliance and the overall effectiveness of therapy, making this a crucial factor to consider when selecting a mask for noninvasive ventilation.

The other options do not represent disadvantages of nasal masks. Increased comfort in all patients suggests that nasal masks are universally well-tolerated, which is not the case as individual responses vary widely. A lower risk of nasal obstruction does not apply, as nasal masks can lead to congestion or blockage in some users. Decreased secretion clearance is rather unrelated to the mask type itself, as secretion management is influenced by many factors in patient care, not just the mask being utilized.