The nurse checks an oxygen saturation level for a patient admitted for surgery and discovers that he has an oxygen saturation of 92% on room air. What is the nurse's first response?
A)Check the pulse oximetry probe to ensure that it is placed properly and the waveform pattern is normal.
B)Tell the patient to take a deep breath while listening to their lungs.
C)Administer oxygen via nasal cannula at 6L/min.
D)Notify the surgeon of the potential need to postpone the surgery.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first response of the nurse in this situation is to check the pulse oximetry probe to ensure that it is placed properly and the waveform pattern is normal. When the pulse oximetry probe is not aligned, it may display an improper oxygen result. This may also be manifested by an erratic waveform pattern on the monitor. Before starting any other interventions, the nurse must first ensure that the oxygen result is an accurate measurement.

The Nurse Checks an Oxygen Saturation Level for a Patient