How should O2 therapy be administered to chronically hypercapnic patients?
a. Avoid giving any supplemental O2.
b. Give as much O2 as possible (60% to 100%).
c. Withhold O2 until the patient is intubated.
d. Give as much O2 as required to maintain adequate oxygenation.
ANS: D
Oxygen should never be withheld from acutely hypoxemic COPD patients for fear of inducing hypoventilation and hypercapnia. Tissue oxygenation is an overriding priority; O2 must never be withheld from exacerbated, hypoxemic COPD patients for any reason. This means the clinician must be prepared to mechanically support ventilation if O2 administration induces severe hypoventilation.
You might also like to view...
What content should be avoided when television viewing is provided in the waiting area?
A. Travel shows B. Soap operas C. Patient education D. Cooking shows
The correct way to include a list in the body of a letter is to
A. double space within items. B. indent one space from the margin for each item. C. leave an extra line between items. D. avoid leaving an extra line of space above and below the list.