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Common causes of a low PaO₂ (Arterial O₂)
- Hypoxemia - pneumonia, ARDS, PE, hypoventilation
- High altitude
Looking for the other direction? See what causes a high PaO₂ (Arterial O₂).
All tests · Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) · PaO₂ (Arterial O₂)
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What causes a low PaO₂ (Arterial O₂)?
Normal range 80-100 mm Hg (10.6-13.3 kPa SI). Specimen: Arterial blood. See the full PaO₂ (Arterial O₂) reference page for critical values and nursing considerations.
What is the normal range for PaO₂ (Arterial O₂)?
The standard teaching reference range for PaO₂ (Arterial O₂) is 80-100 mm Hg in conventional units, or 10.6-13.3 kPa in SI units. This value is measured in arterial blood.
| Specimen | Arterial blood |
|---|---|
| Conventional range | 80-100 mm Hg |
| SI range | 10.6-13.3 kPa |
| Critical value | < 40 mm Hg (severe hypoxemia) |
| Panel | Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) |
Full details, including nursing considerations, on the PaO₂ (Arterial O₂) normal range page. Reference ranges vary by laboratory, method, age, sex, and population - always use the range printed on the actual result.
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