Question

A patient suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is admitted to the hospital with exacerbation of his condition. His SpO2 is 86% and the doctor prescribed oxygen therapy at 2 liter / min for him. Explain why the patient can only receive a low concentration of oxygen.

Answer 1

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a group of lung disease characterized by airflow obstruction caused by emphysema or chronic bronchitis

In this condition ,

Progressive airflow obstruction

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Abnormal inflammatory response of lungs

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So the condition is not completely reversible

Signs and symptoms;

Dysponea

Wheezing

Hypercapnia

Congestion and hyperventilation seen on chest x-ray

Barrel chest

Use of accessory muscles for breathing

Prolonged expiration

Orthopnea

ABG level(arterial blood gas is one of the blood test used to assess the level of oxygen and corbondioxide ) of blood shows respiratory acidosis and hypoxemia

Complications are;

Pulmonary insufficiency

Pulmonary hypertension

Cor pulmonale

Oxygen therapy for COPD client;

-client has hypoxia and has chronic hypercapnia requires low level of oxygen delivery at 1 to 2 L/Mt. Because a low arterial oxygen level is the client's primary drive for breathing

Administer a low concentration of oxygen ie 1 to 2L/Mt as prescribed; the stimulus to breahte is a low arterial Po2 instead of an increased Pco2

Hypercapnia

Abnormal elevation of carbondioxide(Co2) in blood.

This leads to elevation of pH and causing respiratory acidosis.

Hypercapnia affectS the people who have COPD.

client primary drive for breathing is low arterial oxygen level.