NOLA RN
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It is actually the amount of O2 being delivered to the tissue that stimulates COPD patients to breath, not the FiO2. For this reason, it is imperative to monitor SpO2/SaO2 levels and titrate O2 as levels increase. If sats are less than 88%, give whatever FiO2 necessary to provide adequate oxygenation to the patient.
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Patients, no matter who they are, need to have adequate O2 to their tissue. What should be emphasized is that it is not the FiO2 that compromises the drive to breath, but the SpO2/SaO2. If sats are less than 88ish, the patient should receive increased O2. The important part is to monitor sat levels and titrate FiO2 as tolerated.
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As a critical care nurse, I always look for a way to ease the stress of the patients & families. When patients are unconscious, I suggest that family members bring CD players with headphones and favorite music. I have found that it has a soothing effect on everyone. Families are comforted by the fact that the patient will have something other than alarms and the sounds of equipment and monitors to listen to. I am not trained in any way regarding music therapy, so I leave the music selection up to the family. I have also had families bring audio books to the bedside. It gives the family a sense of contributing to care of a loved one in an environment where they can do little.