Why is the SpO2 target range of 88-92% typically used for COPD patients on long-term oxygen therapy?

• A. To minimize CO2 retention
• B. To maximize oxygen delivery
• C. To prevent oxygen toxicity
• D. To reduce measurement errors

Answer: (A)

In COPD patients on long-term oxygen therapy, the goal is to relieve low oxygen levels without overdoing it, because too much oxygen can actually worsen carbon dioxide retention. The SpO2 target of 88-92% is chosen to keep oxygenation adequate while avoiding levels that blunt the drive to breathe or worsen ventilation-perfusion imbalance. When oxygen levels are pushed higher, some patients with COPD can become hypoventilatory, leading to a rise in blood CO2 and a tendency toward acidosis. Staying in this modest range reduces that risk while still preventing significant hypoxemia.

This is why minimizing CO2 retention is the best reason for using this target. Other options aren’t the primary goal here: simply delivering more oxygen isn’t the aim due to the CO2 risk; preventing oxygen toxicity is important but not the driving reason for this specific target in stable COPD; and reducing measurement errors isn’t achieved by the target range itself, which depends on proper monitoring and device use.