In patients with COPD, too high a level of inspired oxygen can depress the respiratory drive, leading to alveolar hypoventilation. Which SpO2 target range is recommended to avoid this effect?

In patients with COPD, too high a level of inspired oxygen can depress the respiratory drive, leading to alveolar hypoventilation. Which SpO2 target range is recommended to avoid this effect?

• A. 95-100%
• B. 88-92%
• C. 92-96%
• D. 85-89%

Answer: (B)

In COPD, especially with chronic CO2 retention, breathing can become fuelled by low oxygen levels. If you give too much oxygen, the drive to breathe can blunt, ventilation may drop, and CO2 can accumulate, leading to hypercapnic problems. The best target to avoid this is an SpO2 range of 88-92%. This strikes a balance: it prevents dangerous hypoxemia while minimizing the risk of suppressing the respiratory drive and worsening CO2 retention. Values higher than this increase the chance of hypercapnia, while values much lower leave tissues at risk for hypoxemia, especially during exertion or illness.

In COPD, especially with chronic CO2 retention, breathing can become fuelled by low oxygen levels. If you give too much oxygen, the drive to breathe can blunt, ventilation may drop, and CO2 can accumulate, leading to hypercapnic problems. The best target to avoid this is an SpO2 range of 88-92%. This strikes a balance: it prevents dangerous hypoxemia while minimizing the risk of suppressing the respiratory drive and worsening CO2 retention. Values higher than this increase the chance of hypercapnia, while values much lower leave tissues at risk for hypoxemia, especially during exertion or illness.