Final answer:
A pulse oximeter is a noninvasive test that measures the oxygen saturation of a patient's arterial blood, with normal readings between 95-100 percent. It is a critical tool in diagnosing and monitoring the oxygenation status of patients.
Step-by-step explanation:
The noninvasive test that measures the saturation of oxygen in a patient's arterial blood is known as pulse oximetry, performed using a pulse oximeter. This device is typically placed on a thin part of the body, such as the finger or earlobe, and uses two wavelengths of light (red and infrared) to determine the level of oxygen attached to the hemoglobin molecules within the arteries. The percent saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen is crucial for assessing a patient's respiratory and circulatory efficiency and can indicate the level of oxygen being delivered to tissues throughout the body.
Normal pulse oximeter readings should fall between 95-100 percent. Readings below this range may signal hypoxemia, a condition characterized by low arterial blood oxygen levels. In more acute healthcare settings, arterial blood gas analysis may be performed to measure the partial pressure of oxygen (pO2), which is expressed in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
In summary, a pulse oximeter provides a quick, noninvasive method for monitoring the oxygenation status of a patient, an important diagnostic tool for various medical conditions, including respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular issues.