Final answer:
To determine how much oxygen is needed in cases of hypoxemia, medical professionals use a pulse oximeter to measure percent saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen. Low readings indicate a need for supplemental oxygen. Metabolic rate assessments provide additional health insights.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine how much oxygen is needed in cases of hypoxemia, healthcare professionals use a device known as a pulse oximeter. This device estimates the percent saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen by passing two different wavelengths of light through a thin part of the body and measures the degree of light absorption by hemoglobin. Normal readings are between 95-100 percent, with lower percentages indicating hypoxemia or low blood oxygen levels.
The value of greatest interest when assessing tissue oxygenation is 'percent sat', referring to the percentage of hemoglobin sites occupied by oxygen. If the percent saturation is low, clinicians might supplement with additional oxygen and monitor the patient's response. In some cases, assessment of arterial blood gases (pO2) is conducted to measure the partial pressure of oxygen in blood directly.
Moreover, understanding the patient's metabolic rate, indicated by oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, can provide insight into the individual's overall health status, including their level of athletic conditioning or the presence of certain medical conditions.