Supplemental oxygen administration is a delicate balance in managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), where the risk of exacerbating hypercapnia must be carefully considered. This case report describes a 69-year-old male with COPD who, after self-medicating with commercially available portable oxygen bottles, experienced hypercapnic respiratory failure and severe respiratory acidosis, leading to intensive care unit (ICU) admission and non-invasive ventilation. The patient's unsupervised use of commercially available portable oxygen bottles emphasizes the risks associated with unregulated supplemental oxygen in COPD. This case highlights the critical importance of cautious oxygen supplementation in COPD, urging high-risk patients to seek medical guidance, even with over-the-counter products. This case emphasizes the need for expert medical opinion to ensure safe oxygen use in vulnerable populations.
Keywords: copd (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease); haldane effect; oxygen therapy; pulmonary critical care; pulmonary physiology.
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