CONTENTS GLOSSARY MENU

STUDENT : ________________________________________________________ DATE: ______________

INSTRUCTOR : _____________________________________________________ DATE: ______________

PROCEDURE PERFORMANCE CHECKLIST

Skill 31-4 Measuring Oxygen Saturation (Pulse Oximetry)

S U NP Comments
Measuring Oxygen Saturation (Pulse Oximetry)
1. Determine need to measure client’s oxygen satu- _____ _____ _____ ______________________
ration.
2. Assess for factors that influence measurement of _____ _____ _____ ______________________
SpO2.
3. Review client’s record for prescriber’s order. _____ _____ _____ ______________________
4. Determine previous baseline SpO 2 (if available) _____ _____ _____ ______________________
from client’s record.
5. Explain purpose of procedure to client. Instruct _____ _____ _____ ______________________
client to breathe normally.
6. Assess site for sensor probe placement. _____ _____ _____ ______________________
7. Wash hands. _____ _____ _____ ______________________
8. Assist client to a comfortable position. If client’s _____ _____ _____ ______________________
finger is chosen as monitoring site, support
client’s lower arm.
9. Instruct client to breathe normally. _____ _____ _____ ______________________
10. Use acetone to remove any fingernail polish _____ _____ _____ ______________________
from digit to be assessed.
11. Attach sensor probe to monitoring site. Tell _____ _____ _____ ______________________
client that clip-on probe will feel like a clothes-
pin on the finger and will not hurt.
12. Turn on oximeter by activating power. Observe _____ _____ _____ ______________________
pulse waveform/intensity display and audible
beep. Correlate oximeter pulse rate with client’s
radial pulse.
13. Leave probe in place until oximeter readout _____ _____ _____ ______________________
reaches constant value and pulse display reaches
full strength during each cardiac cycle. Read
SpO2 on digital display.
14. Inform client that oximeter alarm will sound if _____ _____ _____ ______________________
probe falls off or is moved.
15. Verify SpO2 alarm limits and alarm volume for _____ _____ _____ ______________________
continuous monitoring. Verify that alarms are on.
Assess skin integrity under sensor probe and
relocate sensor probe at least every 4 hours.
16. Discuss findings with client as needed. _____ _____ _____ ______________________
17. Remove probe and turn oximeter power off after _____ _____ _____ ______________________
intermittent measurements. Store probe in appro-
priate location.
18. Assist client in returning to a comfortable posi- _____ _____ _____ ______________________
tion.

Continued

10 Potter/Perry: Fundamentals of Nursing, ed 5. Copyright © 2001 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.
 CONTENTS GLOSSARY MENU

S U NP Comments
19. Wash hands.
20. Compare SpO2 reading with client baseline and _____ _____ _____ ______________________
acceptable values.
21. Correlate SpO2 reading with SaO 2 reading _____ _____ _____ ______________________
obtained from arterial blood gas measurements,
if available.
22. Correlate SpO2 reading with data obtained from _____ _____ _____ ______________________
respiratory assessment.
23. Report and record SpO 2 readings, respiratory sta- _____ _____ _____ ______________________
tus, oxygen therapy, and client’s responses.

Potter/Perry: Fundamentals of Nursing, ed 5. Copyright © 2001 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. 11