What does the medical abbreviation ox mean?

The medical abbreviation "ox" typically refers to "oxygen." It is commonly used in healthcare settings to designate the administration of oxygen therapy or to indicate the oxygen saturation level in a patient's blood.

Specifically, "ox" is often seen in:

- Pulse oximetry (SpO2) readings: "ox" may be used to denote the percentage of oxygen saturation measured through a pulse oximeter device. Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive method to estimate the amount of oxygen carried in the blood through a sensor placed on the finger or earlobe. Normal SpO2 values usually range from 95% to 100%.

- Oxygen flow rates: In respiratory therapy, "ox" is sometimes used to indicate the flow rate of oxygen delivered to a patient via supplemental oxygen devices like nasal cannulas, oxygen masks, or mechanical ventilators. The flow rate is measured in liters per minute (L/min).

- Ordering oxygen therapy: Healthcare providers might use "ox" in prescription orders or patient charts to indicate the need for oxygen delivery or supplemental oxygen support.