HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What does it mean to oxygenate something?

1. To remove oxygen from it

2. To increase its acidity

3. To saturate it with oxygen

4. To freeze it

The correct answer is: To saturate it with oxygen

Oxygenating something means to saturate it with oxygen. In various contexts, such as in biology or medicine, oxygenation is crucial for processes like respiration, where oxygen is transferred to the blood to fuel cellular activities. In dentistry, understanding the concept of oxygenation can be relevant in procedures involving local anesthetics or in managing patient care during sedation, where maintaining proper oxygen levels is essential. The other options—removing oxygen, increasing acidity, or freezing—do not correctly reflect the process of adding or enhancing oxygen content. Thus, saturating with oxygen is the accurate interpretation of oxygenation.