What is the effect of supplemental oxygen on patients with COPD?

Supplemental oxygen can be beneficial for patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), but it must be administered with caution. In patients with COPD, particularly those with chronic hypercapnia (elevated carbon dioxide levels), there is a risk that providing too much supplemental oxygen can suppress the respiratory drive. This phenomenon occurs because these patients often rely on low oxygen levels to stimulate their breathing. When supplemental oxygen increases their blood oxygen levels too much, it can result in respiratory depression, where the body's drive to breathe decreases, potentially leading to respiratory failure.

This is why monitoring is crucial when supplemental oxygen is administered to COPD patients; healthcare providers need to ensure that oxygen levels are kept within a safe range to avoid complications. In contrast to the other options, the significant risk associated with unmonitored oxygen therapy in COPD patients makes this choice the correct answer.