Pulse Oximetry Quiz

What does pulse oximetry primarily measure in the blood?

• Carbon dioxide levels

• Oxygen saturation

• Heart rate

• Blood pressure

Which part of the body is NOT typically used for transmissive pulse oximetry?

• Forearm

• Finger

• Earlobe

• Toe

What is the normal SPO2 range for ICU patients?

• 80-85%

• 86-90%

• 91-95%

• 96-100%

What does the pleth waveform indicate in pulse oximetry?

• Blood glucose level

• Heart rate

• Oxygen saturation

• Blood pressure

What should you do if the pulse oximeter reading suddenly drops?

• Ignore it

• Check the probe and adjust if necessary

• Increase the oxygen supply

• Call for emergency help immediately

Which factor can cause an overestimation of SPO2 in patients with darker skin?

• Cold temperatures

• Nail polish

• Skin pigmentation

• Light pollution

Which condition is NOT a limitation of pulse oximetry?

• Renal failure

• Hypotension

• Cold extremities

• Presence of an LVAD

What is a key difference between transmissive and reflective pulse oximetry?

• Transmissive uses sound waves

• Reflective uses light reflecting off the blood

• Reflective uses light passing through the body

• Transmissive uses light reflecting off the blood

What is the advantage of using a catheter in reflective pulse oximetry?

• It is cheaper

• It measures blood pressure

• It provides real-time saturation at the catheter location

• It is less invasive

Which of the following is NOT a common application of reflective pulse oximetry?

• PA catheter

• Finger clip

• Central line

• Real-time SCVO2 measurement