When should supplemental oxygen be initiated in a patient presenting with respiratory distress?

Initiating supplemental oxygen in a patient presenting with respiratory distress is guided by the patient's oxygen saturation level. When the oxygen saturation is below 94%, it indicates that the patient is not getting enough oxygen to their tissues, which can significantly compromise their health. Providing supplemental oxygen at this point can help improve oxygen delivery and alleviate the symptoms of respiratory distress.

In clinical practice, it is common to maintain oxygen saturation levels above 94% in most patients, as this threshold is widely recognized as a point where supplemental oxygen becomes beneficial. This helps prevent potential complications associated with hypoxemia, such as organ dysfunction or worsening respiratory failure.

While other scenarios mentioned could also merit concern, they do not specifically address the criteria established for initiating supplemental oxygen. For instance, a patient being unconscious may require a different type of intervention beyond just oxygen, and chest pain, while serious, does not inherently indicate a need for supplemental oxygen without assessing the oxygen saturation. Transporting a patient alone does not dictate the necessity for supplemental oxygen if their oxygen levels are adequate at the time of assessment. Thus, focusing on oxygen saturation is critical in deciding to provide supplemental oxygen in respiratory distress situations.