NCM 112 SL Specific Health Conditions

Pulse Oximetry • Heart Attack

• Most essential monitors for routine use in • Heart Failure
anesthesia and intensive care. • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• An EASY and PAINLESS test measuring the oxygen ( COPD )
level ( Oxygen Saturation 5th vital sign ) of the • Anemia
blood, heart rate and gives an idea of tissue • Lung Cancer
perfusion by pulse wave form • Asthma
• A clip like device called probe placed on the body • Pneumonia
part ( Finger or Ear Lobe ) LIMITATIONS OF PULSE OXIMETRY ( Inaccurate or
• Probe : uses light to measure oxygen in the blood unreliable reading )
• Information indicator if patient needs extra oxygen • Poor Circulation
Parts of the Oximetry • Cool Skin Temperature
• Dark Nail Polish
• Low Perfusion State
• Anemia
• Tobacco Usage
• Patient Motion

How Does a Pulse Oximeter

1. Infrared light is absorbed by the oxyhemoglobin
while the red light is absorbed by the reduced
hemoglobin
2. Amount and type of light transmitted through the
tissue is converted to a digital value representing the
percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen.
3. Detect HYPOXIA ( too little oxygen to fulfill the needs
of the brain and body ) before cyanosis ( bluish
discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes )
Indications for Pulse Oximetry
• Undergoing surgical procedure under general
anesthesia
• Undergoing surgical procedure under conscious
sedation
• Emergency situations : loss of consciousness, trauma
• After surgery during recovery phase

Types of Pulse Oximetry

TRANSMISSIVE APPLICATION MODE
• Most common application mode
• Sensor device placed on the thin part of patient’s
body : fingertip or earlobe
REFLECTANCE PULSE OXIMETRY
• Less common alternative eto transmissive pulse
oximetry
• Does not require a thin section of the body
• Universal application : feet, forehead and chest