Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

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What is the target oxygen saturation range for patients with COPD?

80-85%
85-90%
88-92%
92-96%

The correct answer is: 88-92%

The target oxygen saturation range for patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is typically set at 88-92%. This range is designed to provide adequate oxygenation while minimizing the risk of carbon dioxide retention, which can occur when oxygen levels are too high. In COPD patients, their respiratory drive is often driven more by low oxygen levels rather than high carbon dioxide levels. Therefore, maintaining a saturation level within this range helps avoid hyperoxia while ensuring that patients do not become hypoxic. Setting the target saturation too low, such as in the ranges of 80-85% or 85-90%, can lead to inadequate oxygenation, risking further complications. Conversely, aiming for higher saturations (92-96%) may lead to the suppression of the respiratory drive due to increased oxygen levels, risking respiratory acidosis in these patients. Therefore, the target of 88-92% aims to strike a balance between adequate oxygen delivery and the preservation of the patient’s respiratory mechanics.