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Common causes of a low SaO₂ (Arterial Oxygen Saturation)
- Hypoxemia of any cause
- Carbon monoxide poisoning (measured co-oximetry)
Looking for the other direction? See what causes a high SaO₂ (Arterial Oxygen Saturation).
All tests · Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) · SaO₂ (Arterial Oxygen Saturation)
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What causes a low SaO₂ (Arterial Oxygen Saturation)?
Normal range 95-100 % (0.95-1 fraction SI). Specimen: Arterial blood. See the full SaO₂ (Arterial Oxygen Saturation) reference page for critical values and nursing considerations.
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.
| Specimen | Arterial blood |
|---|---|
| Conventional range | 95-100 % |
| SI range | 0.95-1 fraction |
| Critical value | < 90% (hypoxemia) |
| Panel | Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) |
Full details, including nursing considerations, on the SaO₂ (Arterial Oxygen Saturation) 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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