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Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)

SaO₂ (Arterial Oxygen Saturation)

Normal range 95-100 % (0.95-1 fraction SI). Specimen: Arterial blood.

Also known as: oxygen saturation, arterial saturation.

95-100 %Critical value: read below

Reference range

Conventional%
95100
SIfraction
0.951

Combined adult band. LabVals does not publish separate men's, women's, or pediatric ranges for SaO₂ (Arterial Oxygen Saturation); those can be narrower than the band shown.

SaO₂ (Arterial Oxygen Saturation) reference range, specimen, and conversion details
SpecimenArterial blood
Conventional range95-100 %
SI range0.95-1 fraction
Conversion factor×0.01 (conventional → SI)
Critical value< 90% (hypoxemia)
PanelArterial Blood Gas (ABG)

Convert any SaO₂ (Arterial Oxygen Saturation) result between units on the unit converter.

What is the normal range for SaO₂ (Arterial Oxygen Saturation)?

The standard teaching reference range for SaO₂ (Arterial Oxygen Saturation) is 95-100 % in conventional units, or 0.95-1 fraction in SI units. This value is measured in arterial blood.

What is a critical SaO₂ (Arterial Oxygen Saturation) value?

For SaO₂ (Arterial Oxygen Saturation), the commonly taught critical (panic) value is: < 90% (hypoxemia). Critical results are reported to the provider immediately under your facility's policy.

Source: Adult reference values compiled from Pagana & Pagana, Mosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference, and Fischbach & Dunning, A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. Reference ranges vary by laboratory, method, age, sex, and population - always use the range printed on the actual result.

At the bedside

Nursing considerations

  • The percentage of hemoglobin bound to oxygen; targets are usually ≥ 92-95%.
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