A pre-hospital team is treating a 55-year-old male with an acute exacerbation of COPD. He has been given nebulised salbutamol 5 mg and ipratropium 500...

Question

A pre-hospital team is treating a 55-year-old male with an acute exacerbation of COPD. He has been given nebulised salbutamol 5 mg and ipratropium 500 micrograms. His respiratory distress has improved but his SpO2 has risen to 96% on a Venturi mask at 28%. What should be done about the oxygen?

Accepted Answer

Reduce the FiO2 - the target SpO2 for COPD patients at risk of hypercapnic respiratory failure is 88-92%; an SpO2 of 96% indicates excessive oxygen delivery which may worsen hypercapnia

Answer

Maintain the current oxygen - 96% is the ideal target

Answer

Remove all supplemental oxygen immediately

Answer

Switch to high-flow oxygen at 15 L/min

Answer

Increase the oxygen further as higher SpO2 is always better

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): COPD Oxygen Titration

A pre-hospital team is treating a 55-year-old male with an acute exacerbation of COPD. He has been given nebulised salbutamol 5 mg and ipratropium 500 micrograms. His respiratory distress has improved but his SpO2 has risen to 96% on a Venturi mask at 28%. What should be done about the oxygen?