Practice Question
A nurse is preparing to measure a client's oxygen saturation and notes edema of the client's hands and thickened toenails. The nurse should apply the pulse oximeter probe to which of the following locations?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Earlobe
Rationale:
💎 The earlobe is ideal for measuring oxygen saturation when the fingers or toes are affected by edema, poor circulation, or nail thickening, as these conditions interfere with light transmission.
💎 The earlobe has good perfusion and is less affected by peripheral vasoconstriction, providing a more accurate SpO₂ reading.
💎 Other common sites like fingers or toes can give false low readings due to swelling or nail deformities.
💎 The probe should be applied securely but gently to ensure optimal sensor contact and stable waveforms.
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This question is from Custom Fundamentals Midterm Exam Fall 2025 which contains 73 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI Fundamentals of Nursing
- Answer Choices: 4