Table 2 Severity of hospitalized AECOPD patients
From: Management of severe acute exacerbations of COPD: an updated narrative review
Clinical scenario | Respiratory rate (breaths/minutes) | Use of accessory respiratory muscles | Change in mental status | Supplemental oxygen given via Venturi mask able to improve hypoxemia (FiO2%) | PCO2 | pH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No respiratory failure | 20–30 | No | No | 28–35 | Normal | Normal |
Acute respiratory failure (non-life-threatening) | >  30 | Yes | No | 35–40 | Increased (50–60 mmHg) | Normal |
Acute respiratory failure (life-threatening) | >  30 | Yes | Yes | >  40 or not improved | Increased (>  60 mmHg) | ≤ 7.25 |