If a patient is using a pulse oximeter, what should the nurse monitor for potential inaccuracies?

When using a pulse oximeter, it is essential to monitor for potential inaccuracies caused by various factors, including ambient light exposure and patient movement.

Ambient light exposure can interfere with the pulse oximeter's ability to accurately measure blood oxygen saturation. Pulse oximeters work by shining light through a translucent part of the body (usually a fingertip or earlobe) to detect how much oxygen is in the blood. If bright external light is present, it can alter the readings due to interference with the light sensors.

Patient movement is another factor that can lead to incorrect readings. Any movement during the measurement can cause variability in the signal received by the pulse oximeter, leading to fluctuations in the displayed oxygen saturation levels. The device relies on a steady signal to provide accurate readings, and movement can disrupt this steady state.

Thus, monitoring both ambient light exposure and patient movement is crucial to ensure the readings from the pulse oximeter are reliable and accurate. This highlights the importance of considering multiple factors to maintain the quality of clinical assessments.