Article Directory
Free Online Article Directory. For Article Authors & Publishers

Pulse Oximeter Limitations- Top 10

Pulse oximeters are a type of oxygen monitor that measure the amount of oxygen in a person’s blood. Although they are accurate, like all technology, they do have limitations which can prevent them from obtaining an accurate reading. If the user is aware of the limitations, a more accurate and reliable reading can be obtained.
1. The first and easiest limitation to fix is poor positioning of the oximeter. To obtain a quality reading both sides of the sensor should have contact with the skin.
2. Nail polish, especially red polish can cause false low readings. To prevent finger nail polish from interfering, the user can twist the oximeter so the sensors are side to side on the finger instead of top to bottom. The position will allow the light to pass through the finger without making contact with the polish.
3. Any issues which may cause poor tissue perfusion such as hypovoliemia, hypotension, cold extremities, hypothermia, or cardiac arrest. Oximeters cannot function without pulsing circulation. If the tissue is cold, you can attempt to warm the extremity. Hypotensive and hypovoliemic causes must be corrected with improving circulation and blood volume.
4. Some Cardiac valvular defects can cause venous pulsation resulting in a finger pulse oximeter reading venous blood and recording low SpO2 levels. Tricuspid regurgitation is one defect. Unfortunately, there is no fix for such defects in terms of obtaining an accurate reading.
5. Finger pulse oximeters accuracy decreases as the value decreases. Readings below 70 percent are not reliable. Most oximeters are fairly accurate down to around 75 percent. Anything lower should not be considered accurate, especially if the individual is not showing any obvious signs of respiratory distress.
6. Cardiac arrhythmias that alter arterial pulsation can disrupt the finger pulse oximeter from recording an accurate reading. Heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation and frequent PVC’s can alter the steady pulsitile rhythm oximeters use to determine arterial circulation. The result can be frequent variations in the oximeters readings. If the individuals pulse is irregular or frequent changes are noted on the oximeter, this could be the cause.
7. Carbon monoxide poisoning causing carboxyhaemoglobin cannot be distinguished from oxygen resulting in finger pulse oximeters giving false readings of 100%. Finger pulse oximeters should not be utilized when carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected
8. Abnormal haemoglobins such as methaemoglobinaemia, for example following overdose of prilocaine, cause readings to tend towards 85%. Resolution of the cause is the only fix for this.
9. Skin pigmentation can cause inaccurate readings. Like the red nail polish, darker skin can alter the way an oximeter absorbs and interprets light. Finding a lighter area of skin can frequently improve the accuracy of the readings.
10. Operator error. Like all electronic devices, users must know how to operate the equipment and have a good knowledge of how to interpret the results. Oximetry is just an assessment tool used to augment other clinical assessment findings. Just because an individual can read a number, does not mean they understand the meaning of the number. Medical professionals are trained to understand, which is why if you have concerns you should seek their professional wisdom.

Author Resource:- Pulse Oximeters for Sale, Oximeter
Submitted 2010-08-19 22:59:01
By: Albert Baker 99 or more times read
Article Read 520 Times
Article From
Article Listed
[Valid RSS feed]  Albert Baker's Author Feed
http://www.articlelisted.com/author-rss-feed.php?rss=7851
[Valid RSS feed]  Category Rss Feed
http://www.articlelisted.com/rss.php?rss=88

Related Articles

  • Kidney Diet - Effective Tips for a Healthy Kidney Diet


    A kidney diet is a diet intended for better kidney performance. How can someone keep up a healthy diet and at the same time keep to a healthy kidney diet?
  • Red Wine Work in Improving Your Health?


    Wine shop owners have thousands of bottles of wines from all over the world, and different regions within different countries. This all has an effect on the taste, body and aroma of the wine. The retailers might not make it easy, but it's certainly fun finding out which wine you prefer through trial and error.
  • Speed Up Labeling Process With Labeling Machines


    Labeling Machines can be used for meting out volumes of labels within a short time that is value and time productive for organizations. This brief content talks with regards to the functionality of labeling devices in considerable quantities manufacture of labels.
  • Yoga During Pregnancy


    Yoga during pregnancy is a form of mind and body relaxation exercise that is quite beneficial to pregnant women or pregnant teenagers. Many teenagers based pregnancies are usually accompanied by a lot depression and stress.
  • Koh Samui Hotels- Thailand's World Class Accommodation Services


    Koh Samui Inns are outfitted abundant in-quality accommodation services and services implementing the most warm hospitality toward its clientele. This small short article talks concerning the choice of companies Koh Samui Resorts have for just about any extra unforgettable vacation practical experience.
  • Choosing The Right Network Marketing Company


    When it comes to network marketing, you have to make certain you select a great business. The selection of organization has a great deal to do with whether or not you have great results. In this article we will analyze what makes a great option in multilevel marketing. FHTM is one of the companies that meets the requirements.
  • Ways To Get Rid Of Roaches


    Find out the different ways to remove pests like cockroaches from your home
  • Know The Most Affordable And Unique Promotional Pens Available


    BIC Clic Stic Pens have earlier established a strong standing within the current market in the case of charge and reliability. This brief review talks regarding the biography and in addition the variations of bic pens.
  • How To Open a Medical Dispensary


    The use of cannabis for medical purposes has been becoming more popular all the time, despite the fact that it is currently only legal in sixteen states in the USA. There are rumors that federal law is undergoing change, however, and this has got many people very interested in medical cannabis distribution for legally qualified patients.
  • Instruction Manual On ANSI Pipe Marking Requirements


    The ANSI A 13.one Pipe Marking may be the latest update around the common compliance of Pipe Marker. This quick post talks concerning the items inside ANSI A 13.one Pipe Marking Specifications.

HTML Ready Article. Click on the "Copy" button to copy into your clipboard.




Firefox users please select/copy/paste as usual
Actions
Print This Article
Add To Favorites


Navigation
select
Home
select
Sign up
select
Login
select
Submit Articles
select
Submission Guidelines
select
learn more
select
Top Articles
select
About Us
select
Contact Us
select
Privacy Policy
select
RSS Feeds
   
Submit Your Articles To Our Other Article Directory
Morefreeinformation.com