Question

To measure the oxygen saturation of the pre-ductal blood that is perfusing the heart and brain, place the pulse oximeter sensor on the ________?

1) Finger
2) Forehead
3) Chest
4) Wrist

Answer 1

To measure pre-ductal blood oxygen saturation, the pulse oximeter should be placed on the forehead. The forehead is used for pre-ductal measurements, which is crucial for assessing oxygenation in clinical situations like in newborns.

Step-by-step explanation:

To measure the oxygen saturation of the pre-ductal blood that is perfusing the heart and brain, place the pulse oximeter sensor on the forehead.

This allows for monitoring the oxygen saturation before the blood has traversed the ductus arteriosus, which is essential in certain clinical scenarios such as in newborns where differentiation between pre-ductal and post-ductal oxygenation is important.

Pulse oximeters are typically applied to thin parts of the body where blood vessels are close to the surface, such as fingertips, but for pre-ductal measurements, the forehead or another similarly suitable location should be used.