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LTOT Target Saturations — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ

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HardRespiratory SymptomsLTOT Target SaturationsSCE Palliative Medicine

A patient with advanced ovarian cancer is breathless at rest with oxygen saturation 87% on air. She has no COPD, no previous hypercapnia and no features suggesting type 2 respiratory failure. Which oxygen plan best reflects palliative guidance?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: A — Trial oxygen at 1–2 L/min and continue according to symptomatic response

For a hypoxaemic patient with saturation below 90% and no known COPD or type 2 respiratory-failure risk, a low-flow oxygen trial may be considered for symptom relief. Response should be assessed rather than treating the oximeter alone. The usual 88–92% target is relevant when carbon-dioxide retention is a concern, not a universal palliative target. Fan, positioning and other non-drug measures remain useful.

Reference: Scottish Palliative Care Guidelines: Breathlessness: https://www.rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/scottish-palliative-care-guidelines/symptom-management/breathlessness/