Question

You are called into the operating room (OR) and told that the pulse oximeter is broken. You look at the monitor and see that the reading is lower than expected with little, if any, waveform present. Which of the following is unlikely to be causing the problem?

A) Cold body part
B) Vasospasm
C) Reduced cardiac output
D) Broken pulse oximeter
E) Overinflation of blood pressure cuff proximal to pulse oximeter

Answer 1

The unlikely cause for an oximeter showing a lower than expected reading in the operating room is a broken oximeter, as it would typically indicate an error or malfunction directly, not an ambiguous low reading with a poor waveform.

Step-by-step explanation:

If called into the operating room due to concerns that the oximeter is malfunctioning, and upon observing a lower than expected reading with little or no waveform, several potential causes might be considered. However, one option that is unlikely to be the root of this issue is 'D) Broken pulse oximeter,' since oximeters are designed to provide a clear indication of malfunction rather than an ambiguous low reading with poor waveform.

Possible causes for the lowered readings of the oximeter could include 'A) Cold body part,' 'B) Vasospasm,' 'C) Reduced cardiac output,' or 'E) Overinflation of blood pressure cuff proximal to pulse oximeter.' Each of these conditions can alter or impede the flow of blood or affect the sensor's ability to detect the oxygen saturation correctly.