English for Nurses: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Part 1: Vocabulary: COPD

Match the terms from the vocabulary list with their correct meanings

Part 2: Reading: Oxygen Therapy and COPD

Read about oxygen therapy for a patient with COPD and answer the questions.

Oxygen therapy can be administered to patients with COPD, but only in controlled amounts and only with a targeted oxygen saturation of 88 to 92%. This contrasts with a target oxygen saturation of between 94 and 98% for most acutely ill patients who do not have COPD or who are not at risk of hypercapnic respiratory failure. Hypercapnic respiratory failure is characterised by excessive amounts of carbon dioxide and insufficient oxygen in the blood. The condition can occur if people with COPD are either given too much or uncontrolled amounts of oxygen.

To provide oxygen safely to a patient with COPD, a blood test to check arterial blood gases (ABG) is taken. This measures the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood as well as the blood’s pH balance. The patient’s targeted oxygen saturation level is then noted on their drug chart.

Oxygen should be administered at a concentration of 24% via a Venturi mask at a flow rate of 2 to 3 litres (L) per minute or 28% via a Venturi mask at a flow rate of 4 litres (L) per minute. Oxygen should never be delivered via nasal cannulae (also called nasal prongs), as it delivers 100% oxygen which is dangerous for patients with COPD.

Oxygen saturation levels (SpO2) are measured as part of a patient’s regular clinical observations using a pulse oximeter. The instrument is clipped onto the patient’s fingertips to read blood oxygen levels in real time.

1. An instrument that is clipped onto the fingertip to measure oxygen saturation levels (SpO2) is called…
   A  pulse oximeter
   B  arterial blood gas test
   C  nasal cannulae
    
2. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is…
   A  a long-term lung disease
   B  a pH imbalance
   C  a medical term meaning breathlessness
    
3. A Venturi mask delivers oxygen…
   A  that is pure and according to a patient’s needs
   B  at a specified percentage and flow rate
   C  at a flow rate that is comfortable for the patient
    
4. A patient with COPD has…
   A  a target oxygen saturation of between 94-98%
   B  a target oxygen saturation of 80% or more
   C  a target oxygen saturation of between 88 and 92%
    
5. A complication of delivering 100% oxygen to a patient with COPD is…
   A  a reduction in carbon dioxide in the blood
   B  dryness to the nostrils
   C  a type of respiratory failure
    

QUIZET:
Go to Oxygen Therapy and COPD. Listen to the pronunciation of the terms and review vocabulary terms