What should a technologist do if a patient with emphysema has an initial pulse oximetry reading of 80%?

In a situation where a patient with emphysema presents with a pulse oximetry reading of 80%, the appropriate action is to start the patient on 1 L/min of nasal oxygen. This choice is guided by the need to improve the patient's oxygen saturation without overly increasing the oxygen levels, which can be particularly crucial for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) such as emphysema.

Patients with emphysema often have adapted to lower oxygen levels due to chronic respiratory disease, and it is critical to provide supplemental oxygen in a controlled manner. Starting with a low flow of oxygen (1 L/min) allows for immediate improvement in oxygen saturation while minimizing the risk of suppressing their respiratory drive, which can occur with higher levels of supplemental oxygen.

This approach aligns with clinical guidelines for managing hypoxemia in patients with chronic lung diseases, ensuring that the saturation levels are increased to a safer threshold without jeopardizing the patient's respiratory responsiveness. The objective is to safely elevate their oxygen levels in order to avoid potential complications associated with severe hypoxemia.