You respond to the scene of a 37-year-old male patient complaining of acute shortness of breath. He has a history of status asthmaticus when exposed to certain types of chemicals. You discover that he started a new job today as a custodian, and he has been stripping the floors this morning. Upon your arrival, he is sitting in the tripod position in obvious distress. He is slightly cyanotic in his nail beds, his respiratory rate is 34 with poor volume, and he has audible wheezes. His blood pressure is 146/82 mmHg, and his pulse is 102.
What is the most appropriate method for delivering oxygen to this patient?