What could happen if a patient receives too high a flow rate of oxygen?

Oxygen is essential for cellular metabolism, but administering it at excessive flow rates can lead to adverse effects. When a patient receives too high a flow rate of oxygen, the body can absorb more oxygen than it can utilize, leading to a condition known as oxygen toxicity. This toxicity can damage lung tissue and cause inflammation and edema, resulting in further complications such as respiratory distress.

Additionally, hypercapnia, which is an elevated level of carbon dioxide in the blood, can occur if the oxygen flow is so high that it suppresses the natural respiratory drive. In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), for example, high flow rates may prevent them from adequately expelling carbon dioxide, leading to a buildup and subsequent respiratory problems.

The importance of monitoring oxygen flow rates lies in keeping them within a therapeutic range, ensuring that patients reap the benefits of increased oxygen availability without falling victim to the potential dangers of oxygen toxicity and hypercapnia. Thus, this option accurately describes the critical risks associated with administering excessive oxygen flow rates.