How many liters of O2 can a patient with COPD be on?

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I recall being told by an instructor during my nursing clinicals that a patient can be on up to 4L of O2 but no more due to the retention of CO2 and loss of respiratory drive if they have COPD. A colleague of mine today told me that she was told that it shouldn't go over 2 Liters however. What is the correct answer, or is it one of those things that is more individualized to meet the needs of the specific patient? Also if anybody has any good sources or links to studies for this info it would be a bonus.

Certainly you can butt in.

Maybe it's because I've seen patients with CO2's over 100 that makes me more aware that this can happen in a COPDer.

AGAIN LET ME SAY LEST PEOPLE NOT NOTICE. It's a no-brainer (that we all seem to be in agreement about) that you oxygenate the hypoxic COPD patient.

One of my frequent fliers (has become a good buddy BTW) lives quite happily at 7.31/95(ish)/55(ish)!!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
One of my frequent fliers (has become a good buddy BTW) lives quite happily at 7.31/95(ish)/55(ish)!!!

Wow, that's quite a compensated patient! In acute care I usually see some mental status changes, but it's amazing what the body of a COPDer can adjust to.

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Specializes in Med/surg,Tele,PACU,ER,ICU,LTAC,HH,Neuro.

I like the fact most COPD pts know they have the disease well before they need oxygen therapy anyway. Like this guy, they live with it and understand it. He is on 3 L/M at rest and 5 L/M with exertion. I doubt I would have trouble giving him more if he need an Oxygen burst. So both are wrong and COPD is really individualized. Thanks for all the articles. All are a good read.

http://www.okanefamily.net/living_with_copd.htm

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