Should copd patient have an oxygen tester, what levels should oxygen be started? What is a safe oxygen level?

Question:

Sorry for asking 3 questions but it is 5 points. Friend has copd. Oxygen level was running at 95-97. Now is 90. Uses nebulizer at home was told she could use it more than just at night. I'm concerned this could be a damaging level. My mom also had this disease her specialist did just the opposite started on oxygen first, 10 yrs. later started nebulizer. Everyone is different and this may have been protocol back then.

Answers:
at a rate of 91% on room air you need to be started on lo oxygen via nasal canula or non rebreather mask start the flow at 1 or 2 on the delivery dial dont go much higher as the lungs are now responding to the carbon dioxide levels not the oxygen levels. yes it is smart to have an o2 saturation meter

Other Answers:
yes it would probably be a good idea for your friend to have an o2 tester, after the o2 levels drop under 91 they go into the red , anything over 91 is good but the higher the number the better the levels.

A personal hand held SpO2 device (oxygen tester) is a good investment for anyone with COPD or severe emphysema.

An Oxygen level of 88% on room air is when oxygen is prescribed for a person, and this is to keep the oxygen level greater than 92%.

The reccommendation by your friend's doctor is probably a good one. Most people with COPD are given scripts for nebulized treatments 3-4 times a day and as needed for shortness of breath.
Source(s):
I'm a Respiratory therapist

You have to be very safe when putting a COPD patient on oxygen due to the fact that they breath off there hypoxic drive. It is normal for COPD patients to have lower O2 sats. because they retain so much carbon dioxide. A 90 02 sat is not that bad for a COPD patient, if it drops any lower a nasal cannula may be feasible. But it would have to be a low flow rate. If his o2 sat is being monitored by a pulse ox, you may want to have an arterial blood gas performed because spo2(pulse ox) is not 100% correct. Spo2 is an estimate of oxygenation status. Readings below 90 on a pulse ox will not be accurate

To answer your question directly, saturation of 90% is not considered dangerous and in fact it may be desirable. Oxygen management of patients with COPD is complex and can be dangerous if left to inexperienced hands. On one hand, oxygen supplementation has been shown to prolong life of the COPD patients. On the other hand, too much oxygen may actually cause death via the mechanism described above. The bottom line, discuss all changes of oxygenation rate with your friend's doctor and be clear on what changes are allowed. That is very important.

I was told to quit all medications and let nature take it's course. Right now I can't talk about it. I have to go call 911.

911 was busy so I'll try and chat for a minute. Oops, there is an ambulance across the street. I'm going to go try and catch a ride..Hope your friend gets better.

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Should copd patient have an oxygen tester, what levels should oxygen be started? What is a safe oxygen level?

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