LEC 9.5: Oxygen Saturation | Vitals

Oxygen Saturation

Measure of how efficiently oxygen is being delivered to the tissues and organs in the body

Pulse Oximeter

Noninvasive device that estimates a clients’s blood oxygen saturation (SPO2)

1. Estimate arterial blood O2 saturation

2. Detect the presence of hypoxemia before visible signs develop

What are the purposes of assessing O2 saturation?

1. Hemoglobin

2. Circulation

3. Activity

4. Carbon monoxide poisoning

5. Use of vasoconstrictive medications

6. Thickened nails

What are the factors affecting Oxygen Saturation readings?

Hemoglobin

(Factor affecting O2 saturation readings)

• If fully sat with oxygen, SPO2 will appear normal even if total ___ level is low

• Client can be severely anemic, but O2 reading will be normal

Circulation

(Factor affecting O2 saturation readings)

• Oximeter will not provide accurate reading if area under the sensor has impaired ___

• Ex: Px has clubbing fingers

Activity

(Factor affecting O2 saturation readings)

• Px is shivering or excessive movement of the site

• Observe px with really cold hands

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

(Factor affecting O2 saturation readings)

• Pulse oximeters cannot discriminate between hemoglobin sat with CO vs O2

• Other measures of oxygenation are needed

• Earlobe

• Forehead

What other sites can pulse oximeters be placed?