Final answer:
In a child breathing room air, an oxygen saturation of ≥ 94% typically indicates adequate oxygenation. This is usually monitored with a pulse oximeter which presents data as percent saturation. Oxygen levels can also be checked directly from plasma, but lower percentages usually indicate hypoxemia or hypoxia.
Step-by-step explanation:
An oxygen saturation of ≥ 94% while a child is breathing room air usually indicates that oxygenation is adequate. Oxygen saturation is usually monitored using a device known as a pulse oximeter which is applied to a thin part of a patient's body, such as the finger. This tool measures absorption of different wavelengths of light by hemoglobin in the blood and presents data as percent saturation. Normal pulse oximeter readings usually range from 95-100 percent, so lower percentages may represent hypoxemia, or low blood oxygen, leading to hypoxia, or low oxygen in tissues. Oxygen levels can also be directly monitored from free oxygen in the plasma, presented as pO2, using an arterial stick.
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