Objective To investigate the nutritional status of hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and to analyze the impact of nutritional status on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)patients. Methods A total of 122 AECOPD patients admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from June 2018 to December 2019 were selected for the study. Using Nutritional Risk Screening tool (NRS2002), the patients were divided into the group with nutritional risk (NR group, n=75) and the group without nutritional risk (non-NR group, n=47). The two groups were compared in the body mass index, biochemical indexes, blood gas analysis indexes, incidence of respiratory failure, and hospital stay. SPSS statistics 23.0 was used for statistical analysis. Depending on date type, comparison was performed using χ² test or t test. Results The PaCO₂ and COPD assessment test (CAT) scores in the NR group were higher than those in non-NR group [(54.15±14.17) vs (48.78±11.83) mmHg (1mmHg=0.133kPa), (15.43±4.18) vs (11.67±3.37) points], the difference being statistically significant (P<0.05 for both). There was no statistically significant difference in PO₂ and pH between the NR group and the non-NR group [(77.42±23.65) vs (72.76±19.01) mmHg, (7.39±0.61) vs (7.38±0.58) mmHg; P>0.05 for both]. The incidence of respiratory failure in the NR group was 60.0% (45/75), and 38.3% (18/47) in the non-NR group, with significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01). The length of hospital stay in the NR group [(14.43±6.23)d] was higher than that of the non-NR group [(10.19±3.37)d], with significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01). Conclusion The hospitalized AECOPD patients have a high rate of nutritional risk, with a high CAT score, a high rate of respiratory failure and long hospitalization.