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The intended oxygen saturation for providing supplemental oxygen to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is typically around 90%. This target is crucial because COPD patients often have a compromised ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide, leading to potential respiratory acidosis if their oxygen levels are raised too high.

Maintaining an oxygen saturation at or above 90% helps ensure these patients receive sufficient oxygen to prevent hypoxemia while reducing the risk of carbon dioxide retention, which can occur with excessive oxygen delivery. High oxygen levels can paradoxically depress their natural drive to breathe, leading to complications.

Setting the target at 90% allows healthcare providers to manage the delicate balance of ensuring adequate oxygen supply while avoiding the worsening of their respiratory status. Therefore, aiming for a saturation of 90% in COPD patients is endorsed by clinical guidelines as the safest and most effective approach to oxygen therapy in this population.