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COPD Oxygen Emergency — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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ModeratePharmacology & TherapeuticsCOPD Oxygen EmergencyORE Part 1

A patient with COPD who uses long-term home oxygen therapy becomes unresponsive during dental treatment. They are not breathing normally and cardiac arrest is confirmed. What is the most appropriate approach to oxygen administration?

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

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Correct answer: B — Give high-concentration oxygen while providing ventilation as part of resuscitation

Explanation lettering: E = shown as A · A = shown as B · B = shown as D · D = shown as E

**A is correct.** In confirmed cardiac arrest, the immediate priority is resuscitation with effective ventilation and oxygenation; COPD does not justify withholding or deliberately restricting oxygen. UK dental emergency guidance requires equipment to provide high-concentration oxygen for breathing patients and oxygen-assisted ventilation for non-breathing patients, and SDCEP life-support training includes bag-valve-mask oxygen administration. By contrast, the 88–92% saturation target applies to a conscious patient receiving emergency oxygen for an acute COPD exacerbation, where uncontrolled oxygen can worsen hypercapnia. Therefore B, C and E incorrectly apply exacerbation oxygen principles to cardiac arrest. D is unsafe because it delays basic life support and ventilation while awaiting the ambulance service.

Reference: SDCEP Practice Support Manual, “Medical emergency equipment”, current webpage, https://www.psm.sdcep.org.uk/topics/medical-emergencies-and-life-support/medical-emergency-equipment/