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32 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
What is the purpose of pulse oximetry?
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Instrument used to measure the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in arterial blood.
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What is the function of hemoglobin?
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Transports oxygen in the body
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What is the oxygen saturation level of a healthy indivual?
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95 to 99 degrees
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What can occur if the oxygen saturation level falls between 85 to 90%?
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Respiratory failure, resulting in tissue damage
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List 3 patient conditions that can cause a decreased Spo2 value.
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1. Acute pulmonary disease (e.g. pneumonia)
2. Chronic pulmonary disease (e.g. emphysema, asthma) 3. Cardiac problems (e.g. CHF, coronary artery disease) |
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What can pulse oximetry be used for the short-term continuous monitoring of a patient?
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To monitor a patient experiencing an asthmatic attack or to monitor a sedated patient during minor office surgery
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What is the purpose of the pulse oximeter power-on self-test (POST)?
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Oximeter checks its internal systems to ensure they are functioning properly
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What type of site must be used for applying a pulse oximeter probe?
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Peripheral (highly vascular) site and where the skin is thin. Tip of finger, toe, and earlobe.
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How can dark fingernail polish cause a falsely low Spo2 reading?
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An dark opaque coating on the nails may interfere with proper light transmission thru the fingernail
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How can patient movement cause an inaccurate Spo2 reading?
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Motion affects the ability of the light to travel from the LED to the photodetector and prevents the probe from picking up the pulse.
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What type of patients may make it difficult to properly align the oximeter probe?
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Patients with very large fingers, an obese individual, thin patients, or children.
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List 3 conditions that can cause poor peripheral blood flow.
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Peripheral vascular disease,
vasoconstrictor medications, severe hypotension, & hypothermia. |
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Why must a resuable oximeter probe be free of all dirt and grime before it is used?
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Dirt/grime could interfere w/proper light transmission leading to an inaccurate reading.
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How does exercise affect the pulse and respiratory rates?
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Exercise causes pulse rate and respirations to increase
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Effect of wearing navy blue nail polish on pulse oximeter.
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Possible falsely low reading. Ask patient to remove nail polish.
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Effect Parkinson's disease on pulse oximetry
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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. |
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Effect emphysema has on pulse oximetry
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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. |
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Effect bright sunlight coming thru a window where patient is seated and shining on her hand (pulse oximetry)
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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. |
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Effect obesity has on pulse oximetry
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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. |
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Effect patient with peripheral vascular disease has on pulse oximetry
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Use the earlobe
The patient wouldn't have a good pulse so oximeter may not be able to read correctly |
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Effect cold hands have on pulse oximetry
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Ask patient to rub hands together to warm them.
May have enough constriction of peripheral capillaries to interfere with obtaining a reading |
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Effect artificial fingernails have on pulse oximetry
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Use toe or earlobe
False nails would interfere with proper light transmission thru the finger |
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What can be done about bright surgery lights re: pulse oximetry?
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Cover the probe with an opaque material such as a washcloth
Some of the light may be picked up by the probe inaccurately |
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Can you apply an oximeter probe to the same limb as a blood pressure cuff?
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No, use different arm.
the blood flow to the finger would be cut off when the cuff inflates. |
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When oximeter is searching for a pulse...
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pulse search indicator is involved
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When oximeter cannot find a pulse...
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alarm sounds and oximeter may shut off
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When oximeter is portraying the strength of the pulse
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pulse strength bar-graph indicator is involved
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When pulse is audibly broadcasted by a beeping sound...
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pulse rate display is involved
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When oximeter displays the oxygen saturation level...
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SPO2% display is involved
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When oximeter displays the pulse rate...
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pulse rate display is involved
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When battery is low...
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low battery indicator involved
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When you turn the oximeter off
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On/Off control is involved
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