Measurement of arterial blood oxygen saturation by a noninvasive system. Under normal conditions oxygen saturation is greater than 96%.
Objective:
-To assess blood oxygen saturation in the patient.
Equipment:
– Pulse oximeter.
Material:
– Disposable sensor. – Nursing record.
Procedure:
– Preparation of the pulse oximeter. – Preparation of the patient. – Inform the patient of the procedure to be performed. – Select the ideal area for determination, by degree of vascularization and accessibility: over the 3rd phalanx, in older children and adults. On the nasal dorsum
or earlobe, in older children and adults, on the foot of infants. – Adjust the alarm limits to the desired values (normally saturation below 95 and heart rate above 110 and below 60 beats per minute). – Cleaning and drying of the area (dirt, secretions, enamel). – Apply the appropriate sensor, firmly, without hindering the blood supply. – Check the opposition of the sensors on the selected area. – Press the switch. – Insert the index finger into the sensor. – If the patient is to be monitored for a period of time, monitor and change the sensor site at least every 8 hours to avoid skin lesions. – Record the clinical parameters; pulse rate and saturation, in the patient’s sick note or handout. – Turn off the pulse oximeter.
Observations:
– Because of the simplicity of its measurement and the information it provides (respiratory functional status and presence and frequency of peripheral pulse), pulse oximetry has been suggested as the “5th vital constant” in patient assessment, in the same range as blood pressure, heart and respiratory rate, and tempe- rature. – It is reliable in the range of 80-100% saturation. – It is indicated in situations requiring continuous blood gas monitoring.
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