Word parts
What it means
Low oxygen in the arterial blood, measured as a low PaO2 on an arterial blood gasar-TEER-ee-ul BLUD GASA blood test from an artery that measures oxygen, carbon dioxide, bicarbonate and the blood's pH.Full entry (below 80 mm Hg) or a low oxygen saturation on pulse oximetryPULS ok-SIM-uh-treeA painless test that uses light through a finger, toe or earlobe to estimate how much oxygen the blood is carrying.ox- oxygen-metry measuringFull entry . It is about the blood; hypoxiahy-POK-see-uhA lower than normal level of oxygen in the body's tissues.hypo- belowox/o oxygen-ia conditionFull entry is about the tissues not getting enough oxygen, and hypoxemia often leads to it. Early signs include restlessness, anxiety, a fast heart rate and fast breathing; later, confusion and cyanosissy-uh-NOH-sisA blue or gray color of the skin, lips or nail beds.cyan/o blue-osis abnormal conditionFull entry .
For the nurse
Check the oxygen saturation and the work of breathing, raise the head of the bed and give oxygen as ordered. New restlessness or confusion can be the first sign: check the oxygen level before giving a sedative.
Remember it
-emia is "in the blood": hypoxemia is low oxygen in the blood; hypoxia is low oxygen in the tissues.
At a glance
| Normal range | PaO2 80–100 mm Hg [10.7–13.3 kPa]; SpO2 95–100% |
|---|---|
| Spanish | hipoxemia |
| Also written | hypoxaemia, hypoxemic |
Easy to confuse with
hypoxia
A lower than normal level of oxygen in the body's tissues.
Related terms
pulse oximetry
A painless test that uses light through a finger, toe or earlobe to estimate how much oxygen the blood is carrying.
oxygen
A gas in the air that every cell needs, also given as a medicine at higher amounts than room air.
hypoxia
A lower than normal level of oxygen in the body's tissues.
arterial blood gas
A blood test from an artery that measures oxygen, carbon dioxide, bicarbonate and the blood's pH.
cyanosis
A blue or gray color of the skin, lips or nail beds.