๐ซ Polish on the fingernails โ CORRECT
๐ซ Nail polish, particularly darker colors, can interfere with the transmission and absorption of light used by the pulse oximeter.
๐ซ A pulse oximeter estimates oxygen saturation by passing specific wavelengths of light through the tissue.
๐ซ Nail polish can alter the amount of light reaching the sensor and potentially produce an inaccurate reading.
๐ซ The nurse should inspect the client's nail before accepting an unexpectedly low oxygen saturation value.
๐ซ Removing the polish may improve the reliability of the measurement.
๐ซ The probe can also be repositioned to another suitable site when nail polish cannot be removed.
๐ซ An unexpectedly low SpOโ should always be interpreted together with the client's respiratory assessment and clinical appearance.
๐ซ Nail polish therefore gives the nurse a reason to question the accuracy of the 88% reading.
๐ซ Bruising on the hand โ CORRECT
๐ซ Bruising can interfere with light transmission through the tissue and affect pulse oximeter measurements.
๐ซ A bruise contains blood that has leaked into surrounding tissues, potentially altering light absorption.
๐ซ The nurse should avoid placing the pulse oximeter over tissue that is bruised, injured, or compromised when possible.
๐ซ Local tissue changes can make it more difficult for the sensor to distinguish arterial pulsations accurately.
๐ซ The nurse should inspect the finger and surrounding hand when evaluating an unexpected SpOโ measurement.
๐ซ Selecting an unaffected finger or alternative site can help determine whether the original value was accurate.
๐ซ Rechecking the saturation at another appropriate site provides additional information before concluding that the client has true hypoxemia.
๐ซ The presence of bruising therefore provides a reasonable basis for questioning the accuracy of the pulse oximeter reading.
๐ซ Weak, thready radial pulse โ CORRECT
๐ซ A weak, thready pulse suggests decreased peripheral perfusion, which can significantly affect pulse oximetry accuracy.
๐ซ Pulse oximeters require adequate pulsatile arterial blood flow to distinguish arterial blood from surrounding tissues.
๐ซ Poor peripheral circulation decreases the strength of the signal detected by the sensor.
๐ซ Conditions such as hypotension, shock, vasoconstriction, hypothermia, and reduced cardiac output can similarly produce unreliable measurements.
๐ซ A weak radial pulse indicates that blood flow to the finger may be insufficient for a dependable reading.
๐ซ The nurse should compare the displayed pulse rate with the client's actual pulse and evaluate the device's signal quality when available.
๐ซ Repositioning the probe or using a better-perfused site may produce a more reliable oxygen saturation measurement.
๐ซ Poor peripheral perfusion therefore makes the reported 88% SpOโ potentially inaccurate and warrants reassessment.