title: Principles and limitations of pulse oximetry in patient monitoring.
abstract: Although there are many advantages to using pulse oximetry as a tool for monitoring oxygen saturation in arterial blood, there are also potential pitfalls. Nurses must understand its limitations or there is a risk that they may be falsely reassured by inaccurate readings. This article discusses the principles behind pulse oximetry and outlines some common misunderstandings.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of East Anglia, Norwich.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Allen
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010092:Oximetry / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing*; D018579:Patient Selection; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors