Clinical
How much is enough? Emergency oxygen therapy with COPD
<p>Many patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) present to A&E departments with an acute exacerbation of their condition. One of the nurse’s immediate tasks is to assess the patient’s oxygen requirements. There has been much discussion in my own department as to the amount of oxygen patients with COPD should receive. Some nurses insist such patients should receive 51 (approximately 38 per cent) of oxygen via a mask, while others administer 21 (approximately 28 cent) of oxygen.</p>
