Oxygen saturation

Re: Oxygen saturation

Paulette — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 13:34:21 GMT

Completely agree with above posters re reposition probe/moisten tongue/ETC02 values before you go into panic mode

Other points to consider...

SP02% is O2 saturation of the RBCs present in the body - not of the body tissues. ie (irrational example) if you have only 5 RBCs in the entire body but those 5 have oxygen saturation of 100% then your reading will be 100% but obviously your patient has suffered (major in this example) blood loss so always go with mms colour and CRT aswell (this is how I understood it anyway - please correct me if I'm wrong!)

Also if your reading has suddenly dropped below 95% then it's probably a signal issue - reposition probe etc

You need to be concerned when there is a reasonably steady fall/decrease in readings - again check colour, CRT, any blood loss and ETC02 etc

hope this helps :)

Re: Oxygen saturation

Paula Wright RVN Ncert (A&CC) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:55:21 GMT

If you google Oxygen Dissociation curve you will see why the SPO2 should be above 94%.

As already mentioned there may be a signal issue, so you want a smooth plethysmograph and pulsate. This can be affected by light/movement.

If you are using Nitrous and still getting a low reading despite all necessary checks, come off nitrous and check your end tidal CO2. If it is within normal limits (and bp/temp/pulse quality/mucous membrane colour aok) you know have adequate ventilation on 100% oxygen so there's not much more you can do.

Paula.

Re: Oxygen saturation

thebeestingbutterfly — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 04:56:24 GMT

I presume that you are talking about SPO2 as read by a pulse-ox?

Ideally SPO2 should not fall below 95%. (some say 94 / 96)

If you have a machine that displays a pulse wave and a heart rate (which look to be of a decent quality and accurate) you can trust your reading.

Low SPO2 could be:

problem with the unit/probe/light source, problem with FGF, patient not breathing well, lung disease, blocked e.t tube, if you are using capnography you will get a better picture.

I always reposition the probe or check it on myself if I do not believe the reading. sometimes moistening the tongue (if this is where you are measuring) helps.