A pre-hospital team is managing a patient with an acute exacerbation of COPD. They have administered nebulised salbutamol 5 mg and ipratropium 500 mic...

Question

A pre-hospital team is managing a patient with an acute exacerbation of COPD. They have administered nebulised salbutamol 5 mg and ipratropium 500 micrograms. The patient remains dyspnoeic with SpO2 88% on controlled oxygen via a Venturi mask at 28%. What non-invasive ventilatory support is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

NIV - bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) with inspiratory pressure 10-15 cmH2O and expiratory pressure 4-5 cmH2O

Answer

CPAP at 10 cmH2O

Answer

Immediate intubation and mechanical ventilation

Answer

Increase the Venturi mask to 60% oxygen

Answer

Bag-valve-mask ventilation at 15 L/min

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): NIV in COPD Exacerbation