What statement about oxygen administration to COPD patients is true?

High concentrations of oxygen can inhibit the respiratory drive in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This is a crucial concept in the management of COPD. Many patients with this condition have developed a reliance on hypoxia (low oxygen levels) as their primary drive to breathe, rather than carbon dioxide levels, which is typical in healthy individuals.

When these patients receive high concentrations of oxygen, it can elevate the oxygen levels in their blood, which may lead to a decreased respiratory drive. This occurs because the high oxygen levels can suppress the body’s natural response to low oxygen. Therefore, carefully monitoring and titrating oxygen therapy is essential in COPD management to avoid respiratory depression and subsequent complications.

While other statements touch upon aspects of oxygen use in COPD, they do not accurately describe the physiologic implications as effectively as the notion of high oxygen inhibiting respiratory drive, making it the most pertinent point in this context.