Low O2 sat

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.

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

what causes a low O2 sat?

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.

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

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.

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?

atelectasis is the collapse of the lungs because of blockage

for me personally we were taught the failure to thrive is not a very good nrsg dx unless the pt has lost a considerable amount of weight (anorexia, cancer). so in my opinion i would stick to the self care deficit. did you look at the pt. labs ? They can really give you some clues also. I had a pt today she was s/p x4 of a perforated bowel. her RR 16, HR 72 crackles at the bases and was coughing up some major phlem. Her sats were only at a 92-95%. She was taking short tiny breaths which kept her RR wnl but unless she started taking some deep breathsthere was no improvement. USE THE INCENTIVE SPIROMETER...... REMIND THEM TO USE IT....they are there all day watching TV. tell them at every commercial break to do it 3x's. The minimum is once every hour. They can do it more. If you had the pt do the IS while she is on the pulse ox you will see it increase. I dont know if this is the reason why your pt's sats were low, there are lots of reasons. dont forget to look in your book for nursing diag. the related to HAS TO MATCH from the book you can not make them up (learned from my own mistake) ..... good luck