What is the normal arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) range?

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Multiple Choice

What is the normal arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) range?

Explanation:
PaO2 measures the amount of oxygen dissolved in arterial blood. In a healthy adult breathing room air at sea level, this oxygen tension is normally about 80–100 mmHg. This range is used because it reflects adequate oxygen delivery to tissues without hypoxemia, while values below 80 mmHg suggest insufficient oxygenation and values above 100 mmHg are not typically seen at rest on room air. The other ranges either lower the lower bound or raise the upper bound beyond what’s considered normal for a resting person on room air, so 80–100 mmHg is the best match.

PaO2 measures the amount of oxygen dissolved in arterial blood. In a healthy adult breathing room air at sea level, this oxygen tension is normally about 80–100 mmHg. This range is used because it reflects adequate oxygen delivery to tissues without hypoxemia, while values below 80 mmHg suggest insufficient oxygenation and values above 100 mmHg are not typically seen at rest on room air. The other ranges either lower the lower bound or raise the upper bound beyond what’s considered normal for a resting person on room air, so 80–100 mmHg is the best match.

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