Pulse Oximetry

Pulse Oximetry is a topic covered in the Davis's Lab & Diagnostic Tests.

To view the entire topic, please or .

Nursing Central is an award-winning, complete mobile solution for nurses and students. Look up information on diseases, tests, and procedures; then consult the database with 5,000+ drugs or refer to 65,000+ dictionary terms. Explore these free sample topics:

-- The first section of this topic is shown below --

General

Synonym/Acronym:

Oximetry, pulse ox.

Rationale

To assess arterial blood oxygenation related to respiratory status during ventilation, acute illness, activity, and sleep and to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.

Patient Preparation

There are no food, fluid, or medication restrictions unless by medical direction.

Normal Findings

  • Greater than or equal to 95% (values may be at the lower end of the normal range in older adults).

Critical Findings and Potential Interventions

  • Hypoxia occurs at oxygen saturation levels less than 90%. Significant hypoxia, levels less than 85%, requires immediate evaluation and treatment.

Timely notification to the requesting health-care provider (HCP) of any critical findings and related symptoms is a role expectation of the professional nurse. A listing of these findings varies among facilities.

-- To view the remaining sections of this topic, please or --

General

Synonym/Acronym:

Oximetry, pulse ox.

Rationale

To assess arterial blood oxygenation related to respiratory status during ventilation, acute illness, activity, and sleep and to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.

Patient Preparation

There are no food, fluid, or medication restrictions unless by medical direction.

Normal Findings

  • Greater than or equal to 95% (values may be at the lower end of the normal range in older adults).

Critical Findings and Potential Interventions

  • Hypoxia occurs at oxygen saturation levels less than 90%. Significant hypoxia, levels less than 85%, requires immediate evaluation and treatment.

Timely notification to the requesting health-care provider (HCP) of any critical findings and related symptoms is a role expectation of the professional nurse. A listing of these findings varies among facilities.

There's more to see -- the rest of this topic is available only to subscribers.