Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) Practice Test

For individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), the main driver for the urge to breathe is often associated with decreased oxygen levels, particularly in the latter stages of the disease. This is referred to as hypoxemia, which triggers the body's respiratory drive as it attempts to restore adequate oxygen levels in the bloodstream. In COPD, the lungs are compromised, limiting the efficiency of gas exchange and resulting in a gradual reduction of oxygen saturation. While raised carbon dioxide levels (hypercapnia) can also play a role in driving respiration, particularly in more advanced cases, the initial urge is generally more dependent on low oxygen levels. The chemoreceptors in the body, which monitor both carbon dioxide and oxygen levels, will respond primarily to significant drops in oxygen, causing individuals with COPD to feel an increased need to breathe. Environmental factors and increased respiratory rate can influence breathing but are not the primary stimuli under the pathology of COPD.