The patient is brought to the emergency department complaining of severe shortness of breath.She is cyanotic and her extremities are cold.In an attempt to quickly assess the patient's respiratory status,the nurse should:
A)remove the patient's nail polish to get a pulse oximetry reading.
B)use a forehead probe to get a pulse oximetry reading.
C)use a finger probe to get a pulse oximetry reading.
D)check the color of the patient's nail polish before attempting a reading.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Conditions that decrease arterial blood flow such as peripheral vascular disease,hypothermia,pharmacological vasoconstrictors,hypotension,or peripheral edema affect accurate determination of oxygen saturation in these areas.For patients with decreased peripheral perfusion,you can apply a forehead sensor.Assess for factors that influence measurement of SpO? (e.g. ,oxygen therapy;respiratory therapy such as postural drainage and percussion;hemoglobin level;hypotension;temperature;nail polish [Cieck et al. ,2010];medications such as bronchodilators).

The Patient Is Brought to the Emergency Department Complaining of Severe