Final answer:
Oxygen delivery (DO₂) is determined by the saturation of arterial oxygen (SaO₂), hemoglobin levels, and cardiac output, which together define the efficiency of oxygen transport from the lungs to body tissues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oxygen delivery (DO₂) is the process through which oxygen is transported to the tissues. The correct formula for calculating DO₂ is the product of the amount of oxygen bound to hemoglobin, the saturation of arterial oxygen (SaO₂), and the cardiac output. These factors are essential in understanding how efficiently the body can supply oxygen to meet metabolic demands.
The correct answer to the question is option 2) SaO₂, hemoglobin, cardiac output. SaO₂ is the percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen, hemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen in red blood cells, and cardiac output is the volume of blood the heart pumps through the circulatory system in a minute.
Hence, together, these elements determine how much oxygen is being delivered from the lungs to the rest of the body. In clinical settings, assessing DO₂ can provide valuable information about a patient's physiological state and can be particularly important in critical care.