However, pulse oximetry is standard care at our facility and all of the staff were aware that, with the amount of opioids she was receiving, Kathy would require frequent visual checks as well as continuous monitoring centrally. Her respiratory rate was eight breaths per minute and her oxygen saturation dipped into the 80% range, requiring supplemental oxygen to maintain the oxygen saturation in the mid-90% range. (Silviu, Yehuda, & Davidson, 2006). I watched Kathy closely over the course of the next few hours as she recovered from the initial stress of the surgery.