Medical Test Results: Understanding Pulse Oximetry

What does a pulse oximetry result of 97% indicate?

a) Low oxygen saturation
b) Normal oxygen saturation
c) High oxygen saturation
d) Elevated heart rate

Answer:

A pulse oximetry result of 97% indicates:

Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive medical test used to measure the oxygen saturation level in the blood. When the result shows 97%, it means that the individual's oxygen saturation level is normal and falls within the healthy range of 95% to 100%. This signifies that there is an adequate amount of oxygen being carried by the blood to the body's tissues.

It's important to note that the pulse oximetry result does not provide information about the heart rate; it specifically reflects the oxygen saturation level in the blood.

Therefore, in the case of a 97% result, the correct answer is b) Normal oxygen saturation.