How should the nurse respond to Mr. Raymond's pulse oximetry reading of 88%?

In a clinical setting, a pulse oximetry reading of 88% indicates that the patient's oxygen saturation is below the normal range, which typically starts from 95%. While it’s imperative to monitor and assess the patient, simply waiting 2-5 minutes to recheck the reading might not be the most appropriate action here.

Administering emergency oxygen is often necessary in response to low oxygen saturation levels like 88%, which indicates that the patient may be experiencing hypoxia. This action would aim to quickly increase the oxygen levels in the bloodstream.

Notifying the physician is essential, especially if the low saturation persists, as they may want to provide further orders based on the patient’s overall condition.

Checking the patient's blood pressure may be part of a broader assessment but is not directly linked to the immediate concern of low oxygen levels.

Immediate intervention, such as administering oxygen and notifying the physician, is generally the best practice in this scenario to ensure the patient’s safety and well-being.