Which condition may require high-flow oxygen therapy?

High-flow oxygen therapy is particularly utilized in cases where a patient is experiencing significant respiratory distress, and one prime example of this is in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this condition, the airway is narrowed, and patients may struggle to breathe effectively. High-flow oxygen can help ensure sufficient oxygen delivery to the lungs and improve overall oxygen saturation, which is critical in managing respiratory distress.

Additionally, COPD patients often have a compromised ability to manage their own gas exchange, leading to relatively low oxygen levels in the blood. By providing high-flow oxygen, healthcare providers can facilitate better oxygenation while minimizing the risk of hypercapnia, a condition where carbon dioxide levels become dangerously elevated if oxygen is delivered too aggressively without proper monitoring.

In contrast, other conditions listed may not require the same intensity of oxygen therapy. For example, asthma exacerbations can sometimes be managed with lower levels of supplemental oxygen, depending on the severity of the attack, and simple anemia or a common cold typically do not necessitate high-flow oxygen therapy since the underlying issues are not primarily respiratory in nature but rather related to hemoglobin levels or viral infections, respectively.