Htec 90G Basic Patient Care Chapter 4 - Pulse Oximetry

Front 1

What is the purpose of pulse oximetry?

Back 1

Instrument used to measure the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in arterial blood.

Front 2

What is the function of hemoglobin?

Back 2

Transports oxygen in the body

Front 3

What is the oxygen saturation level of a healthy indivual?

Back 3

95 to 99 degrees

Front 4

What can occur if the oxygen saturation level falls between 85 to 90%?

Back 4

Respiratory failure, resulting in tissue damage

Front 5

List 3 patient conditions that can cause a decreased Spo2 value.

Back 5

1. Acute pulmonary disease (e.g. pneumonia)
2. Chronic pulmonary disease (e.g. emphysema, asthma)
3. Cardiac problems (e.g. CHF, coronary artery disease)

Front 6

What can pulse oximetry be used for the short-term continuous monitoring of a patient?

Back 6

To monitor a patient experiencing an asthmatic attack or to monitor a sedated patient during minor office surgery

Front 7

What is the purpose of the pulse oximeter power-on self-test (POST)?

Back 7

Oximeter checks its internal systems to ensure they are functioning properly

Front 8

What type of site must be used for applying a pulse oximeter probe?

Back 8

Peripheral (highly vascular) site and where the skin is thin. Tip of finger, toe, and earlobe.

Front 9

How can dark fingernail polish cause a falsely low Spo2 reading?

Back 9

An dark opaque coating on the nails may interfere with proper light transmission thru the fingernail

Front 10

How can patient movement cause an inaccurate Spo2 reading?

Back 10

Motion affects the ability of the light to travel from the LED to the photodetector and prevents the probe from picking up the pulse.

Front 11

What type of patients may make it difficult to properly align the oximeter probe?

Back 11

Patients with very large fingers, an obese individual, thin patients, or children.

Front 12

List 3 conditions that can cause poor peripheral blood flow.

Back 12

Peripheral vascular disease,
vasoconstrictor medications,
severe hypotension, &
hypothermia.

Front 13

Why must a resuable oximeter probe be free of all dirt and grime before it is used?

Back 13

Dirt/grime could interfere w/proper light transmission leading to an inaccurate reading.

Front 14

How does exercise affect the pulse and respiratory rates?

Back 14

Exercise causes pulse rate and respirations to increase

Front 15

Effect of wearing navy blue nail polish on pulse oximeter.

Back 15

Possible falsely low reading. Ask patient to remove nail polish.

Front 16

Effect Parkinson's disease on pulse oximetry

Back 16

If patient cannot control hand tremors, must use earlobe or toe.
Motion affects the ability of the light to travel from the LED to the photodetector and prevents probe from picking up the pulse signal.

Front 17

Effect emphysema has on pulse oximetry

Back 17

If patient cannot control prolonged bouts of coughing, must use toe.
Motion affects the ability of the light to travel from the LED to the photodetector and prevents probe from picking up the pulse signal.

Front 18

Effect bright sunlight coming thru a window where patient is seated and shining on her hand (pulse oximetry)

Back 18

Move her hand out of the sunlight
Some of the ambient light may be picked up by the probe's photodetector and alter the reading.

Front 19

Effect obesity has on pulse oximetry

Back 19

If you are having trouble properly aligning the probe on patient's finger, use the earlobe.
Light is transmitted from LED through tissue to the photodetector, it is important that they are aligned correctly.

Front 20

Effect patient with peripheral vascular disease has on pulse oximetry

Back 20

Use the earlobe
The patient wouldn't have a good pulse so oximeter may not be able to read correctly

Front 21

Effect cold hands have on pulse oximetry

Back 21

Ask patient to rub hands together to warm them.
May have enough constriction of peripheral capillaries to interfere with obtaining a reading

Front 22

Effect artificial fingernails have on pulse oximetry

Back 22

Use toe or earlobe
False nails would interfere with proper light transmission thru the finger

Front 23

What can be done about bright surgery lights re: pulse oximetry?

Back 23

Cover the probe with an opaque material such as a washcloth
Some of the light may be picked up by the probe inaccurately

Front 24

Can you apply an oximeter probe to the same limb as a blood pressure cuff?

Back 24

No, use different arm.
the blood flow to the finger would be cut off when the cuff inflates.

Front 25

When oximeter is searching for a pulse...

Back 25

pulse search indicator is involved

Front 26

When oximeter cannot find a pulse...

Back 26

alarm sounds and oximeter may shut off

Front 27

When oximeter is portraying the strength of the pulse

Back 27

pulse strength bar-graph indicator is involved

Front 28

When pulse is audibly broadcasted by a beeping sound...

Back 28

pulse rate display is involved

Front 29

When oximeter displays the oxygen saturation level...

Back 29

SPO2% display is involved

Front 30

When oximeter displays the pulse rate...

Back 30

pulse rate display is involved

Front 31

When battery is low...

Back 31

low battery indicator involved

Front 32

When you turn the oximeter off

Back 32

On/Off control is involved