Which type of oxygen delivery device is appropriate for a patient with COPD?

• A. Partial Rebreather
• B. Non-Rebreather
• C. Nasal Cannula
• D. Bag-Valve Mask

Answer: (A)

In COPD, the goal is to raise oxygenation without delivering so much oxygen that it suppresses the patient’s natural drive to breathe. A partial rebreather provides a middle-ground level of oxygen: it uses a reservoir so the patient rebreathes some of their exhaled air, which delivers more oxygen than a simple nasal cannula but less than a non-rebreather. This helps address hypoxemia without the very high FiO2 that could worsen CO2 retention in COPD patients. It’s a practical choice when you need more than a nasal cannula but want to avoid the higher oxygen concentrations associated with a non-rebreather. The bag-valve mask is for ventilating someone who isn’t breathing adequately, and the non-rebreather can push oxygen levels too high for many COPD patients.