RAK Nursing Officer - 2019
Medical Surgical Nursing
Easy
A non-invasive study of arterial blood oxygen saturation using a clip or probe attached to a sensor indicates which of the following?
Appeared in: RAK Nursing Officer - 2019
Explanation
- The procedure described, using a non-invasive clip or probe, is known as pulse oximetry.
- Pulse oximetry measures the peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂).
- This measurement indicates the percentage of hemoglobin (Hb) molecules in the arterial blood that are carrying oxygen.
- A normal SpO₂ reading is typically greater than 95%.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option A: Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) are a comprehensive set of tests that measure lung volumes, capacities, and flow rates using spirometry. They are not a single, non-invasive clip measurement of oxygen saturation.
- Option C: Tidal volume is the amount of air inhaled or exhaled during a normal, quiet breath. It is a measure of volume (in mL), not a percentage of oxygen saturation, and is measured with a spirometer.
- Option D: Vital capacity is the maximum amount of air that can be forcefully exhaled after a full inhalation. It is a measure of lung capacity (in Liters), not oxygen saturation, and is measured with a spirometer.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: Knowing Measurement of arterial oxygen saturation using pulse oximetry helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
- Monitoring SpO₂ is a fundamental nursing skill and a critical component of assessing a patient's respiratory and cardiovascular status.
- A drop in SpO₂ is often an early warning sign of respiratory compromise, allowing for timely intervention to prevent hypoxia.
- What if the patient has poor peripheral circulation or is hypothermic? The reading from a finger probe may be inaccurate. The nurse should try an alternative site, such as an earlobe or forehead sensor, to obtain a more reliable reading.
How to Approach the Question
- First, analyze the keywords in the question: 'non-invasive,' 'clip or probe,' and 'arterial blood oxygen saturation.'
- These keywords collectively describe the function of a pulse oximeter.
- Next, understand what a pulse oximeter measures. It measures the percentage of hemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen.
- Evaluate the options. Option A, C, and D (PFT, Tidal Volume, Vital Capacity) are all related to pulmonary function but measure air volumes and flows, not oxygen saturation.
- Option B directly defines what oxygen saturation is: the ratio of oxygenated hemoglobin to total hemoglobin, expressed as a percentage.
- Therefore, by matching the description in the question to the definition in the options, you can identify the correct answer.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Measurement of arterial oxygen saturation using pulse oximetry.
- Stem keywords: non-invasive study, arterial blood oxygen saturation, clip or probe, sensor
- Lead-in keywords: indicates which of the following
Question ID
QEZRCMG4NYk2gJ04e0VxrY
Reference Book
E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 720-722
E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 3 p. 24-26
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