An oxygen mask is a disposable clear plastic mask that fits over the chin, mouth and nose to allow the patient to breathe nearly pure oxygen. Because of the higher risk, it's only used in preference with a nose tube when it's felt the patient will have trouble breathing through their nose.
In House M.D. - Critical Cases, the oxygen mask is one of the supplies required to progress through the game's stages. It's associated with the color green and the heart.
Usage in House MD TV series
Oxygen masks are used frequently in patient cases, where the patient needs extra oxygen support.
Various (main) characters have used oxygen masks throughout the series. When used in typical medical settings, a green band attached to the mask will be slipped over the patient’s head, to secure the mask over their nose and mouth, providing them with continuous support. Unlike with typical use in real life, the actors in, House MD, often will hold the mask to their face with their hands, will do so intermittently, usually taking it off their face to say their character’s lines.
Times used by main characters:
House
The Softer Side: House stopped breathing, had only a faint pulse and was “revived” by Foreman, after overdosing on Methadone. The team gave him supplemental oxygen with an oxygen mask to use as Cuddy tries to check his vitals. He stops using it when he decides to get up and leave.
Wilson
The C-Word: House gives Wilson supplemental oxygen as he deals with the side effects of chemotherapy at the apartment. Wilson has tachycardia, low blood pressure and is in a lot of pain, but refuses to let House take him to the hospital, as he does not want to die in the ambulance or at the hospital. House promises him and the scene closes with him comforting Wilson as he pressed the oxygen mask to his face to breathe.
Chase
Chase is stabbed by a patient in Nobody’s Fault. After enduring surgery, he wears an oxygen mask while recovering in the ICU, when Cofield visits him after hours. Like the other characters, Chase removes the oxygen mask to talk.