• Pulse Oximeter Competency Test

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  • The nurse must verify the physician's order prior to performing pulse oximeter monitoring.*
  • The nurse must inspect the power cord (if applicable) and probe cable for frayed or exposed wires.*
  • The patient knows why the procedure is being done, so no patient teaching is necessary for this common monitoring procedure.*
  • Instruct the patient to wash their hands with soap and water before placing the pulse oximeter on the finger.*
  • Remove the pateint's nail polish, if used, and clean the site with an alcohol prep pad.*
  • The left index finger is the only viable site for monitoring pulse oximetry.*
  • Errors in pulse oximeter readings may result from improper probe placement, hypothermia, and low light transmissions.*
  • Observe the pulse rate on the oximeter and correlate it with the manually measured rate.*
  • Normal resting oxygen saturation is usually greater than 90%.*
  • A non-disposable probe does not have to be disinfected because it is being used for the same patient with each time.*
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