S1E34 Right or Left? Decoding the Oxyhemoglobin Curve

Ever wonder why a patient’s SpO₂ is normal, but their tissues are still starving for oxygen? Or why a low SpO₂ isn’t always a crisis? Welcome to the world of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve — where hemoglobin plays by different rules depending on your patient’s pH, CO₂, temperature, and more.

In this episode, we unpack what a right shift versus a left shift really means for oxygen delivery, how to spot trouble early, and what every nurse and clinician should know about interpreting oxygen saturation in context. Whether you’re at the bedside, teaching students, or troubleshooting ABGs, this is the episode that brings it all together.

🧠 Key Topics Covered:

• What the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve actually shows (SpO₂ vs PaO₂)

• Right shift vs left shift – what happens and why it matters

• Clinical scenarios that trigger each shift (e.g., sepsis, hypothermia, COPD, alkalosis)

• The problem with “normal” SpO₂ readings when tissue hypoxia is still present

• Real-world tips for using the curve to interpret ABGs and guide care