Below is a summary of Pam’s electronic health record while she is in the hospital. As a nurse, you are responsible for obtaining and monitoring her vital signs. Answer the following questions and be prepared to discuss the responses with the rest of Pam’s healthcare team.

1. Review Pam’s Outpatient EHR: What is Pam’s latest SpO2 reading?
   

   A. 92

   B. 80

   C. 23

   D. 91



2. Internet Research: How is oxygen saturation (SpO₂) measured?
   

   A. Pulse oximeter

   B. Arterial blood gas test

   C. Both A and B



3. Internet Research: Which of the following can cause hypoxemia? Select all that apply.
   

   A. Blocked airway	D. Emphysema
   B. Mononucleosis	E. Allergies
   C. Asthma	F. Sleep apnea



4. Review Pam’s VPE: Pam’s physician orders a pulmonary plethysmography and diffusion capacity (DLCO) test. Using VPE, match the definition to the test.
   

   ____ Diffusion capacity	A. Determines how much air the lungs can hold. After breathing into a mouthpiece, changes in pressure and the amount of air in the room and against the mouthpiece, determines the amount of air in the lungs.
   ____ Pulmonary plethysmography	B. Measures the body’s ability to exchange oxygen and carbon monoxide between the blood and lungs. After inhaling a small amount of carbon monoxide, a blood sample is taken to measure absorption by the lungs.



5. Review Pam’s Outpatient EHR: What does Pam’s plethysmography test results indicate?
   

   A. Emphysema

   B. Asthma

   C. Lung cancer

   D. Bronchitis



6. Review Pam’s VPE: An arterial blood gas (ABG) test is performed to: (Select all that apply)
   

   A. Measure carbon dioxide in the blood

   B. Check how well the lungs move oxygen into the blood

   C. Measure lung air capacity

   D. Check how well the lungs move carbon dioxide from the blood

   E. Measure the temperature of air exhaled from the lungs



7. Internet Research: The statements below are the steps a health professional follows when taking a blood sample. Place a number, (1-4) by each statement, identifying the correct order to perform a blood draw for the ABG test.
   

   ____ Insert needle into the artery to draw blood

   ____ Bandage puncture site

   ____ Remove needle

   ____ Clean needle site with alcohol