Where does the nurse attach the sensor probe of the pulse oximeter to measure an adult patient's oxygen saturation?
A) The chest over the patient's heart
B) Over the patient's abdominal aorta
C) Over the patient's radial pulse
D) Around the patient's index finger nail

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The sensor is taped to a highly vascular area, such as around the index finger nail that allows the light-emitting diode (LED) to reflect off oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin molecules circulating in blood. The chest over the patient's heart is an incorrect option because the LED would not be able to reflect off oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin molecules circulating in blood. Over the patient's abdominal aorta is an incorrect option because the LED would not be able to reflect off oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin molecules circulating in blood. Over a patient's radial pulse is an incorrect option because the LED would not be able to reflect off oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin molecules circulating in blood.

Where Does the Nurse Attach the Sensor Probe of the Pulse