What vital sign abnormality indicates potential respiratory distress in a 16-year-old client with asthma?

A SpO2 level of 88% on room air is indicative of respiratory distress, especially in a patient with asthma. Oxygen saturation levels are critical for assessing effective oxygenation. Normal SpO2 levels typically range from 95% to 100%. When the saturation drops to 88%, it suggests that the patient's lungs are not adequately oxygenating the blood, which could lead to hypoxemia and respiratory failure if not addressed promptly. In patients with asthma, such low oxygen saturation can signal an exacerbation or severe asthma attack, requiring urgent intervention.

While the other choices provide important information about the patient's condition, they do not directly represent respiratory distress as clearly as the SpO2 level. Elevated blood pressure and increased heart rate can result from various factors, including anxiety or pain, but do not specifically indicate respiratory issues. A slightly elevated temperature could suggest an underlying infection but does not correlate specifically with respiratory distress. Therefore, the low SpO2 level is the most critical abnormality indicating potential respiratory distress in this context.