What is the primary risk associated with using oxygen therapy in patients with COPD?

Oxygen therapy in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) must be administered carefully due to the potential for carbon dioxide retention. In these patients, the body’s respiratory drive is often driven by low oxygen levels rather than high carbon dioxide levels. When oxygen is delivered in high concentrations, it can reduce their ventilatory drive, leading to a condition known as hypoventilation. This can cause an accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood, leading to respiratory acidosis.

Respiratory acidosis occurs when the blood becomes more acidic due to excess carbon dioxide, which can result in various complications, including impaired consciousness and further respiratory distress. Managing oxygen delivery to patients with COPD requires a thorough understanding of their unique physiological response to changes in oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, highlighting the importance of close monitoring during therapy.

Other options are not the primary concern in this context. Hypoxemia refers to low oxygen levels, which is typically what oxygen therapy aims to correct. Dehydration is not a direct risk associated with oxygen therapy itself, and while infection can be a concern with any medical intervention, it is not specifically tied to the use of oxygen therapy in COPD. Therefore, recognizing the risk of CO2 retention leading to respiratory acidosis is