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.
Ans: C
Feedback:
The effectiveness of the patient's oxygen therapy is assessed by the ABG analysis or pulse oximetry. ABG results may not be readily available. Presence or absence of cyanosis is not an accurate indicator of oxygen effectiveness. The patient's LOC may be affected by hypoxia, but not every change in LOC is related to oxygenation. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell levels do not directly reflect current oxygenation status.
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