Question 1

will increasing a copd patient's oxygen when taken to 5, 000 ft altitude injure her?

Accepted Answer

Usually not: Check with the doctor to make sure the patient does not have a tendency to retain carbon dioxide. Also, it is best to have an oximeter, a device that measures oxygen levels, with you. It will allow you to use just enough, not more not less.

Question 2

what are the minimum oxygen requirements for copd patients?

Accepted Answer

No minimum: There is no minimum. Ambient air is 21%, if it is not enough, you go up from there. Oxygen delivered by a nasal cannula starts with 0.5 lpm and goes up from there by half liter increments. Common starting rates are 1 - 1.5 lpm.

Question 3

why should patients with copd be given low flow concentration supplemental oxygen?

Accepted Answer

Helps: if a patient has a saturation less than 88 they qualify for supplemental oxygen. oxygen is the only therapy proven to prolong life in advanced copd

Question 4

why would patients with copd be given low flow concentration (1-2l/min) supplemental oxygen?

Accepted Answer

Low blood oxygen: At the advanced stages of copd, the lungs do not perform their function well, oxygen has a harder time crossing into the blood stream. At this point, the body is not getting enough energy, the blood oxygen level is low. Raising the amount of inhaled oxygen offsets the problem, and prolongs life. Oxygen is used at the lowest amount that would achieve the goal.

Question 5

can copd patient on oxygen get carbon monoxide poison?

Accepted Answer

YEs: But it is not related to the use of home o2. Co poisoning can occur with the use of a poorly ventilated room while using propane space heaters or from car exhaust that  has escaped into the living space. Of course any one that is immobilized should be monitored for any envirnonmental hazzards they can not quickly get away from.

Question 6

for what reason should patients with copd be given low flow concentration (1-2l/min) supplemental oxygen?

Accepted Answer

Low oxygen...: People with COPD can develop low oxygen levels due to their lung disease. Oxygen therapy is then administered in the lowest amount needed to treat their hypoxia. Too much oxygen can actually cause lung toxicity which worsens lung function.

Question 7

could you give high flow o2 to a copd patient?

Accepted Answer

Supplemental oxygen: It is very common to prescribe supplemental oxygen to patients with copd. During infectious flare ups of copd, it is quite common that a patient requires higher concentrations of oxygen. High flo is a higher concentration of oxygen. Over time, as a patient clinically improves, the oxygen concentration could be tapered slowly.

Question 8

could breathing 100% o2 be bad for copd patients?

Accepted Answer

Depends on patient: Oxygen in tanks is "100% oxygen", and should be considered a medication. The amount of "100% oxygen" used varies from patient to patient. The oxygen from the tank mixes with air from the environment, so that a patient breathes in somewhat enriched air. Doctors do worry that if a COPD patient gets too much oxygen, he will take fewer breaths per minute, and make his carbon dioxide level go too high.

Question 9

does copd cause low oxigen levels in patients after surgery?

Accepted Answer

COPD: COPD patients have a persistent state of low oxygen . They need to be monitored with yearly Pulmonary Function Tests with DLCO. Medical management with inhalers like combivent and dulera (formoterol and mometasone). Self management with home pulse OX. Also therapy for nicotine addiction if present. The stress of surgery often flares COPD depending how long and what anesthesia was used. You must be careful with giving O2

Question 10

is it true that people with emphysema shouldn't breathe 100% oxygen?

Accepted Answer

Yes and No: Patients with emphysema are at some risk for developing high carbon dioxide levels (hypercapnea) if given high doses of oxygen.  The oxygen will displace the carbon dioxide off of the red blood cell resulting in higher blood levels (haldane effect).  However, hypoxia (low oxygen) is more likely to kill a patient than hypercapnea (high co2) so using high dose oxygen may be needed.

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Why is elevated oxygen dangerous for emphysema patients

A member asked:

Will increasing a copd patient's oxygen when taken to 5, 000 ft altitude injure her?

A member asked:

What are the minimum oxygen requirements for copd patients?

A member asked:

Why should patients with copd be given low flow concentration supplemental oxygen?

A member asked:

Why would patients with copd be given low flow concentration (1-2l/min) supplemental oxygen?

A member asked:

Can copd patient on oxygen get carbon monoxide poison?

A member asked:

For what reason should patients with copd be given low flow concentration (1-2l/min) supplemental oxygen?

A member asked:

Could you give high flow o2 to a copd patient?

A member asked:

Could breathing 100% o2 be bad for copd patients?

A member asked:

Does copd cause low oxigen levels in patients after surgery?

A member asked:

Is it true that people with emphysema shouldn't breathe 100% oxygen?

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