Using pulse oximetry to assess oxygen levels.
Abstract Olive S (2016) Using pulse oximetry to assess oxygen levels. Detecting low oxygen levels in patients is important but not always easy; central cyanosis--when a patient's lips, tongue and mucus membranes acquire a blue tinge--can be missed, even by skilled observers, until significant hypoxaemia is present. Pulse oximetry can be undertaken to measure a patient's oxygen levels and help identify earlier when action must be taken. This article outlines the procedure and its limitations, as well as the circumstances in which it should be used.
Sandra
S
Olive
D002983:Clinical Competence; D006801:Humans; D010092:Oximetry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000451:nursing*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*
D010100:Oxygen