subject: Factors That Can Affect The Reading Of A Pulse Oximeter [print this page] It is important to know the oxygen saturation level of a person whether or not he or she has a prior medical condition. The oxygen level should always be in the high 90s particularly a 95% since this is the desired oxygen-blood ratio. The oxygen saturation is indicated by the use of a pulse oximeter.
Even though the use of the oximeter has a lot of benefits, there are also factors that can affect its reading. If not handled properly, it will produce inaccurate results. The use of the oximeter is dependent on the pulse of the person and the use of infrared lights.
The first factor is the placement of the probe or the sensor. It should be placed on the part of the body where it can read a strong pulse. Common places are the finger and the earlobe. However, in case the pulse is not strong in those areas, the toe or the bridge of the nose can be used.
Once the probe is placed, it should strictly not be moved. Sudden movements or slippages of the sensor can affect the reading. It needs to be firmly placed and the patient should avoid movement. It is best that the finger is placed on a table or somewhere a person can rest it. If a person experiences hand tremors, necessary adjustments have to be made.
Another factor is the blood circulation or blood flow of the patient. The blood circulation should be normal enough to determine how much the blood cells can carry oxygen molecules. Low blood pressure for instance will give false readings. If you are not sure of the blood circulation, it is suggested that the sensor should be placed on the earlobe to have improved accuracy of results.
Lighting of the room also plays a part when determining the oxygen saturation. As said earlier, a pulse oximeter makes use of lights that the blood cells can absorb. If there is a bright light or direct light from an external source, the machines own lights will be affected. This is also the reason that a fingernail shouldnt have nail polish because the infrared light will have a difficult time going through them.
These are some of the things you should remember when using a pulse oximeter. Even though it is really easy to use and produces fast results, different factors can affect its reliability and validity.
