Final answer:
COPD treatment includes smoking cessation, medications, and supplemental oxygen to maintain target SpO2 levels typically between 88-92%. Pulse oximeters are used to monitor blood oxygen levels and ensure adequate oxygenation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The treatment (txt) for COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) aims to alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life, and slow disease progression. Managing COPD often includes lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation, medications like inhaled bronchodilators, and in severe cases, supplemental oxygen. The goal of oximetry in COPD patients is to maintain SpO2 levels within a target range, typically between 88-92%, to ensure adequate oxygenation and minimize risk of hypercapnia.
Using a pulse oximeter, healthcare providers can measure a patient's blood oxygen levels, with normal readings typically between 95-100%. For COPD patients, oxygen therapy may be prescribed when SpO2 levels fall below the individual's target range. During an exacerbation of COPD, where alveoli may be damaged and gas exchange is impaired, oxygen supplementation helps to maintain oxygen saturation and reduce the workload on the heart and lungs.