How is the dose of oxygen typically expressed?

The dose of oxygen is typically expressed in liters per minute because this measurement indicates the flow rate of oxygen that a patient is receiving. In therapeutic and clinical settings, it is important to know the precise amount of oxygen being administered to ensure that it meets the patient’s needs without exceeding safe limits.

Using liters per minute allows healthcare providers to adjust the oxygen flow according to the patient’s condition, such as during respiratory distress or other medical emergencies. It is the standard unit of measure for oxygen delivery systems, ensuring clarity and consistency across different treatment protocols.

Other measurement options do not accurately reflect how oxygen is administered. Milliliters per hour is more commonly used for liquid medications rather than gas flow, percentage of saturation relates to how much oxygen is carried in the blood rather than how much is being delivered, and milligrams per kilogram is a unit typically used for medications and not applicable to oxygen dosing.