What could be a consequence of using high-flow oxygen in patients with COPD?

Using high-flow oxygen in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) can lead to the risk of respiratory acidosis. This is primarily due to the phenomenon known as hypoxic drive. Patients with COPD often rely on low oxygen levels to stimulate their respiratory drive. When high-flow oxygen is administered, it can elevate blood oxygen levels to a point where it reduces the drive to breathe, potentially causing a rise in carbon dioxide levels (hypercapnia) in the blood.

As carbon dioxide accumulates, it leads to respiratory acidosis, a condition where the blood becomes more acidic. This can result in various complications, such as confusion, lethargy, and in severe cases, respiratory failure. Therefore, understanding the delicate balance of oxygen therapy in these patients is crucial, as the goal is to manage their oxygen saturation without suppressing their natural drive to breathe.

Other choices may suggest benefits that are less relevant or even counterproductive in the context of COPD management. For instance, while improved lung function might be a desired outcome, high-flow oxygen does not typically lead to this outcome in patients with COPD, and increased physical endurance or enhanced cognitive function are not directly linked to high-flow oxygen administration in this patient population either.