Reading A Pulse Oximeter

A pulse oximeter functions by emitting a beam of infrared light through the capillaries towards a sensor on the other side. Before the blood is oxygenated at the lungs, it is a bit darker red in color. The oximeter measures the intensity of both shades of the oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, rates the heart beat, and then subtracts the amount of the darker oxygenated blood through some mathematical equations. The difference is the percentage of the saturation of oxygen in the blood. The results of the reading, along with the heartbeat rate, appear on the display monitor attached to the device.

If you have a pulse oximeter, you have to determine the power source of the device. Some are plugged into wall sockets, whereas others are powered by rechargeable batteries. Choose a translucent body part where the probes are to be placed, which is usually a fingertip or an earlobe. If you will be using your fingertips, remove all the nail polish so the device will have a good contact with the skin. Wash the skin first to remove body oils.

Turn on the device and wait for it to calibrate itself and run through a series of tests. This may take a couple of seconds. After the calibration, put the probe at the body part that you have prepared. Avoid forcing it if it does not fit on the part. Even though the device is cushioned, extreme pressure can injure the skin.

Wait for some few seconds for the heartbeat rate and the percentage of oxygen saturation to appear on the monitor screen. Calculate the figures shown. A normal oxygen level on room air is above ninety percent. Bear in mind that there are things that can influence the oxygen level. Seek medical help if the results read below ninety percent.

Also check the heartbeat rate displayed on the monitor connected to the pulse oximeter. The normal adult heart beat rate is sixty to eighty beats per minute, where as adolescents have fifty to sixty, and children have sixty to one hundred twenty, respectively. Infants and younger children typically have much higher heartbeat rates.

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