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Copyright © 2011 by Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:
Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:
A Nursing Process Approach, 3rd edition
Name Date
Unit Position
Instructor/Evaluator: Position
SKILL 14-1Using a Pulse Oximeter
Goal:The patient exhibits arterial blood oxygen saturation
within acceptable parameters, or greater than 95%. Comments- Review chart for any health problems that would affect the
patient’s oxygenation status. - Bring necessary equipment to the bedside stand or overbed
table. - Perform hand hygiene and put on PPE, if indicated.
- Identify the patient.
- Close curtains around bed and close the door to the room,
if possible. Explain what you are going to do and why you
are going to do it to the patient. - Select an adequate site for application of the sensor.
a. Use the patient’s index, middle, or ring finger.
b. Check the proximal pulse and capillary refill at the
pulse closest to the site.
c. If circulation at the site is inadequate, consider using the
earlobe, forehead, or bridge of nose.
d. Use a toe only if lower extremity circulation is not
compromised. - Select proper equipment:
a. If one finger is too large for the probe, use a smaller
one. A pediatric probe may be used for a small adult.
b. Use probes appropriate for patient’s age and size.
c. Check if patient is allergic to adhesive. A nonadhesive
finger clip or reflectance sensor is available. - Prepare the monitoring site. Cleanse the selected area
with the alcohol wipe or disposable cleansing cloth.
Allow the area to dry. If necessary, remove nail polish
and artificial nails after checking pulse oximeter’s manu-
facturer instructions.
9.Apply probe securely to skin. Make sure that the light-
emitting sensor and the light-receiving sensor are aligned
opposite each other (not necessary to check if placed on
forehead or bridge of nose).
ExcellentSatisfactoryNeeds Practice