What is the appropriate initial treatment for a patient in respiratory failure due to COPD?

In the case of a patient experiencing respiratory failure due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), the appropriate initial treatment is oxygen therapy. Patients with COPD typically have a history of chronic hypoxemia and may benefit from supplemental oxygen, which can enhance their oxygen saturation and tissue oxygenation.

Oxygen therapy aims to correct the hypoxic state while being cautious about the potential for carbon dioxide retention, which can occur in patients with COPD. It's crucial to administer the oxygen at a controlled rate, often utilizing a low-flow system to maintain adequate oxygen saturation without suppressing their natural respiratory drive.

While other treatments, such as bronchodilation, might also be necessary in the management of COPD exacerbations, oxygen therapy is prioritized initially to address the immediate need for oxygenation. Intubation and suctioning are reserved for more severe cases where the patient's airway is compromised or if they cannot protect their airway, which is not usually the case during the initial management of mild to moderate respiratory failure in COPD.