Low O2 sat

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what does it mean when theres a low o2 sat? what causes it? whats happening when there is a low o2 sat?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

A "low sat" is a low oxygen saturation. O2 sat is a measurement of oxygen in the blood/hemeglobin. It gives a picture as to how the body is oxygenating itself.

Any number of conditions could cause a drop in sat, from sedation from narcotics, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, congestive heart failure, atelectasis, and anemia.

This is just off the top of my head. Maybe someone will come along with a better explanation and some links.

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

It refers to decreased levels of oxyhemoglobin in arterial blood. It's an indicator of how much oxygen is available to body tissues. Normal is 95 to 100%.

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if a person is very lethargic, weak, fatigue..can this cause a low o2 sat?

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

Tweety answered it better than I did.

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what causes a low O2 sat?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
what causes a low O2 sat?

As I indicated above, many things. It's a symptom of another underlying condition, of which there are many.

If someone is weak and lethargic these could be signs of having a low sat. Having low oxygen levels can make a person feel weak and lethargic.

But it could also be a cause because if you have a condition that is making you weak and lethargic, then you're may not be breathing deeply and adequately and thus your sats low.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Are you doing a school assignment? Maybe some more specifics might help us answer.

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Ok, can you tell me what atelectasis is? That is the only one I am not familiar with. Thanks.

A "low sat" is a low oxygen saturation. O2 sat is a measurement of oxygen in the blood/hemeglobin. It gives a picture as to how the body is oxygenating itself.

Any number of conditions could cause a drop in sat, from sedation from narcotics, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, congestive heart failure, atelectasis, and anemia.

This is just off the top of my head. Maybe someone will come along with a better explanation and some links.

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ok..well im working with a patient who is very lethargic, weak, and fatigue. his respirations are within normal range (18breaths/min), however the patient's O2 sat is 92%..

what im trying to figure out is a nursing dx for this patient, which i came up with "Self-care deficit r/t limited physical mobility as evidenced by lethargic, weaness, fatigue, low o2 sat, and altered mental status" does this sound ok? im trying to figure a nursing dx that relates with his low o2 sat as well as limited mobility. this is a patient who cant do much because of neurological conditions.

should i just do a nursing dx "Failure to thrive" or stick to the one that i have which is the one about self-care deficit?

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.
Ok, can you tell me what atelectasis is? That is the only one I am not familiar with. Thanks.

Atelectasis is a partial or incomplete expansion of the lung or a collapse of the lung.

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atelectasis is the collapse of the lungs because of blockage

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