A pulse oximeter is used to monitor what?

A pulse oximeter is used to monitor what?

• A. Blood pressure
• B. Temperature
• C. Oxygen saturation
• D. Heart rate

Answer: (C)

Pulse oximetry monitors the oxygen saturation of arterial blood, expressed as SpO2. It works by shining red and infrared light through a fingertip or earlobe and measuring how much light is absorbed by oxygenated versus deoxygenated hemoglobin. From that ratio, the device estimates the percentage of hemoglobin carrying oxygen, which reflects how well oxygen is being delivered to tissues. Many units also display heart rate because the pulsatile blood flow used to gauge SpO2 provides that information, but the primary purpose is to track oxygen saturation. It does not measure blood pressure or temperature, which need different sensors.

Pulse oximetry monitors the oxygen saturation of arterial blood, expressed as SpO2. It works by shining red and infrared light through a fingertip or earlobe and measuring how much light is absorbed by oxygenated versus deoxygenated hemoglobin. From that ratio, the device estimates the percentage of hemoglobin carrying oxygen, which reflects how well oxygen is being delivered to tissues. Many units also display heart rate because the pulsatile blood flow used to gauge SpO2 provides that information, but the primary purpose is to track oxygen saturation. It does not measure blood pressure or temperature, which need different sensors.