NUR 311L Skills Lab - Course Point: Mod. 3

The nurse is using a pulse oximeter to monitor a client's oxygen saturation following abdominal surgery to ensure adequate oxygenation. The health care provider has set a parameter of 92%. How would the nurse maintain this parameter? - Removing the flow of oxygen to the client when 92% oxygen saturation has been reached. - Adjusting the flow of oxygen to maintain an oxygen saturation level at or below 92%. - Adjusting the flow of oxygen to maintain an oxygen saturation level at or above 92%. - Administering oxygen to the client when the oxygen saturation level has reached 92%.

Adjusting the flow of oxygen to maintain an oxygen saturation level at or above 92%.

What assessment would the nurse make prior to using a pulse oximeter to measure oxygen saturation? Respiratory rate. Blood pressure. Pulse farthest away from the monitoring site. Capillary refill.

Capillary refill

The nurse is using a pulse oximeter to measure the oxygen saturation for a client with lung cancer. Normally, where would the nurse place the probe of the device? The forehead. The index finger. The wrist. The big toe.

The index finger

The nurse is checking a client's oxygen saturation level using a pulse oximeter. How should the probe be placed on the finger? - The sensors are automatically aligned when placed on the finger. - With the light-emitting sensor and light-receiving sensor adjacent to each other. - With the light-emitting sensor turned on and the light-receiving sensor turned off. - With the light-emitting sensor and light-receiving sensor opposite each other.

With the light-emitting sensor and light-receiving sensor opposite each other.

A nurse must take a client's pulse oximetry reading. The nurse is explaining the technique to the client. Which statements about pulse oximetry are true? Select all that apply. - The pulse oximetry sensor can produce accurate results even if circulation to the sensor site is impaired. - Once the oximetry probe is correctly placed, a beam of red and infrared light travels through the tissue and blood vessels. - Pulse oximeters display oxygen saturation and respiratory rate. - Pulse oximetry measurement requires insertion of an arterial line. - Sensors are available for use on the finger, toe, foot, earlobe, forehead, and bridge of the nose. - A range of 88% to 95% is considered normal oxygen saturation for infants.

- Once the oximetry probe is correctly placed, a beam of red and infrared light travels through the tissue and blood vessels. - Sensors are available for use on the finger, toe, foot, earlobe, forehead, and bridge of the nose.

The nurse on a telemetry unit is assessing oxygen saturation of a client admitted with severe peripheral edema using a pulse oximeter. The nurse obtains a weak and inaccurate pulse oximeter reading. What actions constitute the correct response by the nurse? Select all that apply. - Transfer the pulse oximeter probe to one of the great toes. - Recheck the pulse oximeter reading peripherally in 2 hours. - Request a prescription for an arterial blood gas level by the lab. - Move the pulse oximeter probe to a finger on the opposite hand. - Use an ear pulse oximeter probe on one of the client's ears.

- Request a prescription for an arterial blood gas level by the lab. - Use an ear pulse oximeter probe on one of the client's ears.

The nurse is using a pulse oximeter to monitor a client who is receiving oxygen therapy via a nasal cannula. The nurse explains to the client that which factor might affect the results of pulse oximetry? Alterations in circulation. Thyroid disease. Pain medications. Cardiovascular disease.

Alterations in circulation

What would the nurse use to prepare the site for attachment of a pulse oximeter probe? Warm water. An antimicrobial swab. An alcohol wipe. Sterile saline solution.

An alcohol wipe

The nurse has attached the probe of a pulse oximeter to the finger of a client to monitor oxygen saturation. The nurse notices that the oximeter reads a low saturation of 88 percent with irregular meter pulsations; however, upon assessment of the client, the nurse finds no symptoms of respiratory distress. What might be causing this failure to obtain an accurate reading? Pulmonary embolism. An irregular pulse. Peripheral vascular disease. Accumulation of secretion in the lungs.

Peripheral vascular disease

The nurse is preparing the site for applying the probe of a pulse oximeter. What would the nurse do to ensure accurate results? Apply powder to the site. Remove any nail polish on the client's fingers. Wash any deodorant from the client's underarms. Apply lotion to the site.

Remove any nail polish on the client's fingers.

The nurse is turning on the pulse oximeter and notices a bar form on the machine. What does this bar represent? Signal strength. Pulse rate. Hemoglobin level. Oxygen levels.

Signal strength

The nurse is checking capillary refill to measure circulation in the client's index finger prior to using a pulse oximeter. What would be the next best site to place the probe if circulation is found to be inadequate at this site? The elbow. The big toe. The bridge of the nose. The finger of the other hand.

The bridge of the nose

A nurse takes a client's pulse oximetry reading and finds that it is normal. What does this finding indicate? The client's red blood cell (RBC) count is in the normal range. The client's available hemoglobin is adequately saturated with oxygen. The client's oxygen demands are being met. The client's respiratory rate is in the normal range.

The client's available hemoglobin is adequately saturated with oxygen.