What should be monitored in patients receiving oxygen therapy to avoid complications?

Monitoring in patients receiving oxygen therapy is crucial to ensure the therapy's effectiveness and to prevent complications associated with both hypoxia (low oxygen levels) and hyperoxia (excess oxygen). The primary parameters to focus on include saturation levels and heart rate, as these provide direct insight into the patient's respiratory status and overall cardiovascular health.

Oxygen saturation levels, typically measured with a pulse oximeter, indicate the percentage of hemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen. Keeping these levels within an appropriate range—usually between 94% and 98% for most patients—is essential to ensure that the body tissues receive adequate oxygen. Heart rate is another important metric, as it can provide information about the body's response to oxygen therapy, indicating whether the cardiovascular system is handling the increased oxygen levels effectively.

In contrast, monitoring respiratory function and blood pressure can offer valuable insights but are not the primary focus in the context of oxygen therapy alone. While blood pressure is important for overall health, it does not directly reflect the efficacy of oxygen therapy. Similarly, parameters like temperature and glucose levels, or pain levels and renal function, are typically monitored in specific contexts unrelated to the immediate goals of oxygen therapy. These parameters may indicate other health issues but do not directly implicate the use or complications