Which method is commonly used to evaluate a patient's respiratory function?

Pulse oximetry is a widely recognized and utilized method for assessing a patient’s respiratory function. This non-invasive technique measures the oxygen saturation levels in the blood, which is critical for understanding how effectively the lungs are delivering oxygen to the bloodstream.

When the oxygen saturation is measured, healthcare providers can gain insights into the patient's respiratory status and make informed decisions regarding their care. For instance, a reading below a certain threshold can indicate respiratory distress or other underlying conditions that require prompt intervention. The ability to continuously monitor or quickly assess oxygen levels makes pulse oximetry particularly valuable in both emergency and non-emergency settings.

Other methods listed, such as blood pressure monitoring, temperature assessment, and heart rate measurement, are important in overall patient evaluation but do not provide specific insights into respiratory function as effectively as pulse oximetry does.