subject: Pulse Oximeter: What You Need To Know [print this page] A clear understanding A clear understanding
In order to understand the purpose of a pulse oximeter, we have to know what pulse oxymetry is. Pulse oxymetry is a technique that is used in monitoring oxygen levels in the blood. It involves the careful observation of a patients oxygen level in their hemoglobin. This method is non-invasive. The pulse oximeter is the device that is used for this purpose.
How it works
It works by monitoring the patients oxygen level without necessarily taking a blood sample. The pulse oximeter is attached to a medical monitor so as to view the oxygen levels regularly. In addition, the monitors also show the heart rate.
Advantages of using the oximeter
This device is useful especially in situations where the patients oxygen level is not stable such as in surgery or intensive care unit. It helps to analyze whether the patient will need extra blood or extra oxygen. Oxygen is necessary for one to live and therefore the usefulness of this device can be based on this.
In addition to determining the patients need for oxygen, this device can be used to indicate any abnormalities in ventilation. However, it cannot be used to detect hypoventilation when the patient is not breathing in room air. This therefore requires that the practitioners avoid giving the patients supplemental oxygen if they can do fine by breathing in room air. This will ensure that respiratory problems are detected.
These devices are simple and easy to use and therefore become very useful when it comes to emergency medicine and diagnosing sleep disorders. There are battery operated pulse oximeters that are portable and are especially used by pilots in aircrafts that are above 10,000ft. This is because they are in an aircraft that is not pressurized and require taking oxygen supplementation.
Before the invention of the pulse oximeters, several blood tests had to be taken. These devices come in handy for those who love mountain climbing and athletes who are prone to decreased oxygen levels in high altitude areas or during exercise. Some pulse oximeters have soft wares that detect a change in the patients oxygen levels and pulse and are installed with a reminder for the patient to check their oxygen levels.
Disadvantages
They are mostly used to check oxygen levels but not ventilation. Therefore its measure for respiration is not sufficient. It cannot be substituted for checking blood gases in a lab because it cannot give an indication of a deficit in the base of a gas such as CO2.
The oximeter is likely to give a false reading. For instance, hemoglobin has a higher affinity for carbon dioxide than oxygen. The oximeter may give a high reading in spite of the fact that the patient may be suffering from hypoxemia. In such a case, it may be difficult to detect poisoning through carbon monoxide.
