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

In this scenario, a pulse oximetry reading of 88% indicates that the patient's oxygen saturation is lower than the normal range, which typically is above 92-94%. However, the response of waiting 2-5 minutes and then rechecking the reading is appropriate as an initial step in assessing the situation. This approach allows the nurse to determine if the reading was momentarily low due to transient factors such as movement, poor circulation, or equipment error.

Monitoring is key in clinical settings, and it is essential to assess whether the reading remains low or improves before taking further actions. This way, the nurse is being cautious and ensuring that any intervention needed is based on consistent data rather than a single reading.

Other responses like administering emergency oxygen immediately or notifying the physician right away can be necessary actions in certain situations but are generally reserved for more critical circumstances. Checking the patient's blood pressure might not directly address the immediate concern raised by the low pulse oximetry reading. Therefore, the decision to wait and recheck is a sensible, measured approach to patient care in this context.