Question

The nurse is obtaining a pulse oximeter reading on an adult patient. Where is the probe of a pulse oximeter placed?

A. In the mouth or under the arm
B. On the ear
C. On the tip of a finger or toe or on an ear lobe
D. In the rectum

Answer 1

A pulse oximeter probe is placed on the tip of a finger or toe, or on an earlobe. It measures the percentage of oxygen saturation in the blood based on the absorption of light by hemoglobin.

Step-by-step explanation:

A pulse oximeter probe is typically placed on the tip of a finger or toe, or on an earlobe. The device works by sending two different wavelengths of light (red and infrared) through the tissue and measuring the light with a photodetector as it exits. The machine then calculates the percentage of oxygen saturation in the blood based on the absorption of light by hemoglobin.