Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills: A Nursing Process Approach

287

Copyright © 2011 by Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:

SKILL 14-1

Using a Pulse Oximeter (Continued)

Comments

10. Connect the sensor probe to the pulse oximeter, turn the
    oximeter on, and check operation of the equipment (audi-
    ble beep, fluctuation of bar of light or waveform on face of
    oximeter).


11. Set alarms on pulse oximeter. Check manufacturer’s alarm
    limits for high and low pulse rate settings.


12. Check oxygen saturation at regular intervals, as ordered by
    primary care provider, nursing assessment, and signaled by
    alarms. Monitor hemoglobin level.


13. Remove sensor on a regular basis and check for skin irrita-
    tion or signs of pressure (every 2 hours for spring-tension
    sensor or every 4 hours for adhesive finger or toe sensor).


14. Clean nondisposable sensors according to the manufacturer’s
    directions. Remove PPE, if used. Perform hand hygiene.

ExcellentSatisfactoryNeeds Practice