When is it appropriate to administer oxygen to a patient with genitourinary complaints?

Administering oxygen to a patient is most appropriately indicated when the pulse oximeter reading is less than 94 percent. This threshold is significant because a reading below 94 percent suggests that the patient may be experiencing hypoxemia, which is insufficient oxygen in the blood. Oxygen therapy in this situation can help improve tissue oxygenation, alleviate symptoms, and prevent complications that may arise from inadequate oxygen delivery to vital organs.

While pain levels, heart rate, and general discomfort can provide information about a patient's condition, they are not direct indicators of the need for supplemental oxygen. Pain management and monitoring vital signs are indeed important, but the primary concern in this context is ensuring that adequate oxygen levels are maintained in the bloodstream. Therefore, focusing on the pulse oximeter reading is the most reliable clinical decision-making point when it comes to oxygen administration.