What does the term "FIO2" stand for?

The term “FIO2” stands for "Fraction of Inspired Oxygen." This is a critical measurement in respiratory care and medicine, representing the concentration of oxygen that is present in the air being inhaled by a patient. It is typically expressed as a decimal or percentage indicating the proportion of oxygen in a mixture of gases, such as room air or supplemental oxygen. For instance, room air has an FIO2 of approximately 0.21, or 21%.

Understanding FIO2 is essential for assessing a patient’s respiratory status and determining the necessary interventions for oxygen therapy. It helps medical professionals gauge the adequacy of the oxygen being delivered to a patient and adjust therapy as needed based on clinical assessment and arterial blood gas analysis.

Other options, while they may sound related, do not accurately define FIO2. "Fraction of inhaled oxygen" would not be used because "inspired" is the correct term when discussing the air taken into the lungs. Similarly, "Flow rate of inhaled oxygen" and "Fixed intake of oxygen" address different aspects of oxygen delivery and do not reflect the definition of FIO2.