Which oxygen delivery device is preferred for patients with COPD who require precise oxygen concentrations?

• A. Simple face mask
• B. Venturi mask
• C. Aerosol mask
• D. Nonrebreather mask

Answer: (B)

In COPD, delivering a precise oxygen concentration is crucial to maintain adequate oxygenation while avoiding suppression of the patient’s drive to breathe with too much oxygen. A Venturi mask achieves this by using calibrated adapters that create fixed, predictable FiO2 levels when oxygen flows through the system. The precise mixture of oxygen and entrained air remains stable despite changes in the patient’s breathing pattern, which allows reliable control of oxygen saturation and helps keep SpO2 in the target range (often around 88–92% for COPD).

Other devices can’t guarantee the same level of precision. A simple face mask tends to deliver a variable FiO2 that depends on mask fit and the patient’s tidal volume, making it hard to titrate oxygen accurately. An aerosol mask is designed for medication delivery and isn’t focused on delivering specific oxygen concentrations. A nonrebreather mask can supply high FiO2, but the delivered concentration can still fluctuate and is not reliably adjustable for precise titration.

So the Venturi mask is the best choice for COPD when precise oxygenation is needed.