Final answer:
The correct answer to the question is the tongue since pulse oximeters are usually not applied there. They are commonly placed on thin body parts where the device can effectively measure oxygen levels in the blood, like fingers, earlobes, or toes.
Step-by-step explanation:
All of the following are areas where a pulse oximeter can be placed, except:
The correct answer to the question is the tongue. A pulse oximeter is typically applied to a thin part of the body, such as the tip of the finger, the earlobe, or the toe, where the device can effectively send two different wavelengths of light through the site and measure the light with a photodetector as it exits. The tongue is generally not used for pulse oximetry.
Pulse oximetry measures the percent saturation of oxygen in the blood. Normal readings range from 95-100 percent, and deviations from this range may indicate various medical conditions.