60 Second Study Session: Hypoxic Drive

Introduction

• Presenter: Jason Seitz
• Topic: Hypoxic Drive in COPD patients

What is Hypoxic Drive?

• Develops in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Occurs due to the inability to exhale enough CO2
• Results in CO2 buildup in the lungs over time

Effects of CO2 Buildup

• Shifts the body’s acid-base balance
• COPD patients breathe due to a lack of oxygen, not CO2 buildup
  • Normal respiratory drive: Breathe due to CO2 buildup
  • COPD respiratory drive: Breathe due to low oxygen levels

Field Considerations

• Risk of giving oxygen to COPD patients:
  • Saturating them to 100% can suppress their respiratory drive
  • They may stop breathing if they have adequate oxygen and lack CO2 buildup
• Important to titrate oxygen to effect
  • Monitor oxygen saturation
  • Know what is normal for COPD patients
  • Avoid cranking oxygen up to 100%

Conclusion

• Always be cautious with COPD patients' oxygen levels
• Titrate oxygen carefully to avoid suppressing their natural respiratory drive

Additional Resource

• Check out the test prep program for NREMT at guardiantestprep.com