Final answer:
A 98% O2 saturation indicates a healthy level of oxygen in a patient's hemoglobin, measured by a pulse oximeter, and falls within the normal range of 95-100%.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a patient's O2 saturation is found to be 98%, this indicates that the hemoglobin in their blood is 98% saturated with oxygen. This measurement is typically done with a device called a pulse oximeter, which sends two wavelengths of light through a finger to measure oxygen saturation. A saturation of 98% falls within the normal range of 95-100 percent for a healthy individual. Percentages lower than this range may indicate hypoxemia, which is characterized by low blood oxygen levels. Often for further assessment, arterial blood gas tests are done to measure the partial pressure of oxygen, or pO2 in the blood, providing another means to monitor oxygenation status in patients.