Pulse oximetry
Pulse Oximetry
Pulse oximetry (pronounced: puhls ok-sim-i-tree) is a non-invasive method used to monitor the oxygen saturation of a patient's blood. This procedure is often used in medical settings and is considered an essential tool in clinical assessment.
Etymology
The term "pulse oximetry" is derived from three words: "pulse", "oxi" (from the Greek word for sharp or acid), and "metry" (from the Greek word for measure). Thus, it essentially means "measuring the sharpness of the pulse".
Procedure
Pulse oximetry involves a small device known as a pulse oximeter, which is typically attached to a patient's finger, earlobe, or toe. The device emits light of two different wavelengths through the body part to a photodetector. It measures the changing absorbance at each of the wavelengths, allowing it to determine the absorbances due to the pulsing arterial blood alone, excluding venous blood, skin, bone, muscle, fat, and (in most cases) nail polish.
Interpretation
The readings from a pulse oximeter are typically expressed as a percentage. A reading of 95-100% is generally considered normal. Lower readings may indicate a medical emergency.
Related Terms
- Hypoxemia: A condition in which there is a deficiency of oxygen in the blood.
- Hypoxia: A condition in which there is a deficiency of oxygen in the body or a region of the body.
- Arterial blood gas: A test that measures the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
- Oxygen saturation: The fraction of oxygen-saturated hemoglobin relative to total hemoglobin in the blood.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pulse oximetry
- Wikipedia's article - Pulse oximetry
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