Final answer:
Early signs of hypoxemia that a nurse should recognize include confusion, pale skin, and elevated blood pressure; these symptoms show the body's response to low oxygen levels in the blood.
Step-by-step explanation:
The early manifestations of hypoxemia that a nurse should recognize include confusion, pale skin, and elevation of blood pressure. Confusion is a result of decreased oxygen to the brain, pale skin is indicative of reduced oxygenation of blood, and elevation of blood pressure can occur as the body tries to compensate for the lack of oxygen. Other symptoms not listed but relevant to hypoxemia can include tachycardia (as opposed to bradycardia) and hypotension in the later stages.