Question

During a splenectomy of a 10 year old rottweiler, the veterinary technician places a pulse oximeter on the patients tongue. After 2 minutes, the SpO2 level is consistently reading 82%. How should the veterinary technician respond?

Answer 1

A pulse oximeter is a device used to measure the oxygen saturation level (SpO2) in a patient's blood. A SpO2 level of 82% indicates hypoxemia, meaning there is a lower-than-normal level of oxygen in the blood. The veterinary technician should alert the veterinarian about the low SpO2 reading.

Step-by-step explanation:

A pulse oximeter is a device used to measure the oxygen saturation level (SpO2) in a patient's blood. It works by sending two different wavelengths of light through a thin part of the body, such as the finger or tongue, and measuring the amount of light absorbed by the hemoglobin. Normally, SpO2 levels should be between 95-100%. In the case of the 10-year-old Rottweiler, a SpO2 level of 82% indicates hypoxemia, meaning there is a lower-than-normal level of oxygen in the blood.

The veterinary technician should respond by alerting the veterinarian about the low SpO2 reading. This could be a sign of an underlying issue that needs further evaluation and treatment. The veterinarian may need to adjust the anesthesia or provide additional oxygen support during the splenectomy procedure.