Why is this important?

Pneumonia can lower the oxygen in your blood because the air spaces in your lungs fill with fluid. The oxygen you breathe does not get into your bloodstream. It is important that the amount of oxygen in your blood be measured within 24 hours of arriving at the hospital to see if you need oxygen therapy. The assessment may include an ABG (arterial blood gas) or pulse oximetry (electrodes attached to a part of your body like a finger, earlobe, or skin fold).

Higher percentages are better.

Information about Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. As the lungs fill with fluid, oxygen has more and more trouble reaching your blood and a whole series of events may occur that can eventually kill.

Pneumonia is caused by a viral or bacterial infection that fills your lungs with mucus. This lowers the oxygen level in your blood. Symptoms of pneumonia can include the following:

• Difficulty breathing
• "Wet" cough. Your mucus may look green or bloody.
• Chest pain
• Fever and chills
• Fatigue