In monitoring a patient’s respiratory status, what is the first step if oxygen saturation is found to be low?

The most appropriate and immediate first step when oxygen saturation is found to be low is to administer oxygen. The rationale for this involves the principle of quickly addressing the hypoxemia by increasing the oxygen supply to the patient, thereby helping to improve the saturation levels as swiftly as possible.

While checking arterial blood gases can provide detailed information about the patient’s respiratory and metabolic status, it is typically not done as an initial response to low oxygen saturation because it takes time to obtain results.

Instructing the patient to take deep breaths may help in some situations, particularly if the low saturation is due to shallow breathing. However, it does not address the immediate need for oxygenation. Evaluating lung sounds can provide additional context but should not be the first action taken when faced with acute low oxygen saturation. It may also indicate underlying issues but does not provide immediate corrective action for the low oxygen levels.

Therefore, the correct response focuses on the immediate need to supplement oxygen and enhance the patient’s breathing capacity, which is crucial in a clinical setting facing a potential respiratory compromise.