Field Internship Student Data Acquisition Project. (FISDAP) Airway Practice Exam

What minimum oxygen saturation level indicates the need for treatment in patients without chronic conditions?

1. 90%

2. 94%

3. 98%

4. 100%

The correct answer is: 94%

In assessing patients without chronic conditions, a minimum oxygen saturation level of 94% is significant because it indicates that the patient's oxygen saturation is lower than the normal range. Typically, a normal oxygen saturation level ranges from 95% to 100%. When levels fall below 94%, it suggests that the body may not be receiving adequate oxygen, which can quickly lead to tissue hypoxia if not addressed. Therefore, initiating treatment at this level can help prevent further complications and ensure the patient's oxygenation needs are met. The other levels of saturation, while they may represent varying degrees of oxygenation, do not necessitate intervention as urgently as a reading below 94%. A reading of 90% can indicate moderate hypoxemia, but it generally calls for careful monitoring rather than immediate treatment in patients without chronic health issues. Levels at 98% and 100% are considered optimal and typically do not warrant any intervention. Thus, 94% serves as an appropriate threshold for initiating treatment to ensure patient safety and effective management of oxygenation.