Final answer:
Percent saturation is determined using a pulse oximeter, which measures the amount of light absorbed by hemoglobin in the blood and presents it as a percentage. Normal readings range from 95-100 percent, with lower percentages indicating low blood oxygen levels. Oxygen levels can also be measured using arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis, which measures the partial pressure of oxygen in the plasma.
Step-by-step explanation:
An important factor for diagnosing and monitoring a patient's oxygen levels is percent saturation, which is often determined using a device called a pulse oximeter. This device measures the amount of light absorbed by hemoglobin in the patient's blood and presents it as a percentage. Normal pulse oximeter readings range from 95-100 percent, with lower percentages indicating hypoxemia, or low blood oxygen levels.
Oxygen levels can also be monitored using arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis, which measures the partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) in the plasma. ABG readings are typically expressed in units of millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).