Question

The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving oxygen therapy for pneumonia. How should the nurse best assess whether the patient is hypoxemic?

A) Assess the patient's level of consciousness (LOC).
B) Assess the patient's extremities for signs of cyanosis.
C)Assess the patient's oxygen saturation level.
D) Review the patient's hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell levels.

Answer 1

The best way to assess if a patient is hypoxemic is to check the oxygen saturation level using a pulse oximeter. This gives an immediate and precise measure of the percentage of hemoglobin saturation with oxygen.

Step-by-step explanation:

To assess whether the patient is hypoxemic, the nurse should measure the patient's oxygen saturation level using a pulse oximeter. This device clips to the patient's finger and provides a percent saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen in the blood. Normal pulse oximeter readings range from 95-100 percent, and lower percentages indicate hypoxemia, which is a lower-than-normal level of oxygen in the blood.

While assessing the patient's level of consciousness and extremities for cyanosis can provide some information, these are not the most reliable methods for determining oxygen saturation. Similarly, reviewing hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell levels can indicate potential for hypoxemia but do not directly measure current oxygen saturation levels. The pulse oximeter provides an immediate and accurate method for monitoring hypoxemia.