Certified Respiratory Therapist Practice Exam

What exertion level on the Borg scale is appropriate for titrating a COPD patient's oxygen flow during exercise?

1. Moderate exertion (rating of 3)

2. Somewhat strong exertion (rating of 4)

3. Strong exertion (rating of 5)

4. Very strong exertion (rating of 6)

The correct answer is: Somewhat strong exertion (rating of 4)

Titrating a COPD patient's oxygen flow during exercise is best guided by their perceived exertion level, which can help ensure that they are getting enough oxygen without overexerting themselves. A rating of somewhat strong exertion, corresponding to a Borg scale rating of 4, indicates that the patient is working hard but is still able to maintain control over their breathing and activity level. At this level, patients can usually communicate and have not reached the point of fatigue where they might begin to compromise their oxygen needs. This is particularly important for COPD patients who may experience increased shortness of breath with higher levels of exertion. In contrast, moderate exertion (rating of 3) might not be sufficient to assess the oxygen needs accurately during exercise, as the patient may not require as much support. Similarly, strong exertion (rating of 5) and very strong exertion (rating of 6) indicate levels of effort that might lead to increased respiratory distress and could be detrimental in a COPD patient. These higher ratings often suggest a point where symptoms could escalate, leading to inadequate oxygenation rather than the desired controlled increase in oxygen flow.