Pulse Oximeter | How to Use It? How does Pulse Oximetry Work?

Summary

This video offers an in-depth look at pulse oximeters, explaining how they non-invasively measure oxygen saturation and heart rate in arterial blood. It details the device's operation, emphasizing the importance of accurate readings for health assessments. The video also discusses the significance of normal ranges for oxygen saturation and heart rate, advising viewers to seek medical attention if their readings consistently fall outside these parameters. Links to recommended pulse oximeters for home use are provided.

Takeaways

• 😀 A pulse oximeter is a non-invasive device used to monitor a patient's oxygen saturation and heart rate.
• 🌡️ It measures the level of oxygen in arterial blood by shining a light through the finger and detecting the amount of light absorbed.
• ❤️ The device provides a reading of oxygen saturation, known as SpO2, and automatically calculates the heart rate.
• 👩‍⚕️ Healthcare professionals use pulse oximeters to monitor patients with cardiopulmonary issues to assess their cardiopulmonary status.
• 🏠 Patients with chronic respiratory conditions may be advised to keep a pulse oximeter at home for continuous monitoring.
• 🔍 The device compensates for ambient light and finger size to ensure accurate readings, using a reference curve for calibration.
• 🤞 To get reliable readings, the device should be securely clipped onto the finger, minimizing movement and avoiding nail polish.
• 👉 Studies suggest that the middle finger of the right hand provides the most accurate readings, though any finger can be used if the device is secure.
• 🛒 Pulse oximeters can be purchased on Amazon, and it's important to ensure they meet the user's needs, especially for healthcare professionals.
• ⚠️ While using a pulse oximeter is generally safe, inaccurate readings could lead to improper treatment, so it's crucial to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for use.

Q & A

What is a pulse oximeter?

A pulse oximeter is a non-invasive device used to monitor a patient's oxygen saturation and heart rate by clipping onto the finger and providing a reading within seconds.

How does a pulse oximeter work?

Pulse oximeters work by shining a light through the finger, measuring the amount of oxygen in the blood. They detect the difference in wavelengths that go through oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.

Why is it important to monitor oxygen saturation levels?

Monitoring oxygen saturation levels is important because a lack of oxygen in the blood can lead to improper oxygenation of body tissues, which can be hazardous to health and indicate serious pulmonary issues.

What additional feature does a pulse oximeter provide besides oxygen saturation?

In addition to monitoring oxygen saturation, a pulse oximeter also provides a heart rate measurement.

How accurate are pulse oximeters?

Pulse oximeters are generally accurate, but the accuracy can depend on factors like the patient's movement, the absence of nail polish, and the proper placement of the device on the finger.

Which finger is recommended for getting the most accurate reading from a pulse oximeter?

Studies suggest that the middle finger of the right hand provides the best accuracy, with the thumb of the right hand coming in second.

Can you use a pulse oximeter if you have nail polish on?

It is advised to avoid using a pulse oximeter on fingers with nail polish as it can interfere with the light readings and affect the accuracy of the device.

What are the normal ranges for heart rate and oxygen saturation according to the video?

The normal range for heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute, and for oxygen saturation, it is 95 to 100%.

What is the term for an abnormally low level of oxygen in the blood?

Hypoxemia is the term used for an abnormally low level of oxygen in the blood, which is treated with supplemental oxygen.

Where can you purchase a pulse oximeter as mentioned in the video?

You can purchase a pulse oximeter on Amazon, and the video provides links to some top recommendations in the description.

What should you do if your pulse oximeter readings consistently fall outside of the normal ranges?

If your pulse oximeter readings consistently fall outside of the normal ranges, it is advisable to seek medical advice or consult with a healthcare professional.

Outlines

00:00

🌡️ Introduction to Pulse Oximeters

This paragraph introduces the topic of pulse oximeters, explaining what they are and their importance. A pulse oximeter is a non-invasive device used to monitor a patient's oxygen saturation levels in arterial blood and heart rate. It is a small, portable device that clips onto the finger and provides readings quickly. The script emphasizes the significance of oxygen saturation for health, as low levels can indicate serious pulmonary issues. Healthcare professionals use these devices to monitor patients' cardiopulmonary status, and some patients are advised to keep one at home. The video also provides links to recommended pulse oximeters for home use.

05:02

💡 How Pulse Oximeters Work

This section delves into the functioning of pulse oximeters. They operate by shining light through the finger to measure oxygen levels in the blood. The device uses a light source and a receiver to detect the amount of light that passes through the finger, taking into account the differences in wavelengths absorbed by oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. The device compensates for ambient light and finger size to provide accurate readings. It uses a reference curve for calibration to ensure precision. The paragraph also discusses what the device measures, including oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate, and why these measurements are crucial for medical professionals.

10:04

🛒 Purchasing and Using Pulse Oximeters

The final paragraph covers the practical aspects of purchasing and using pulse oximeters. It addresses the question of where to buy them, specifically mentioning Amazon as a platform where recommended models are available. The script also discusses the importance of accurate readings and the potential risks of inaccurate measurements, which could lead to improper patient treatment. The normal ranges for heart rate and oxygen saturation are provided, with a reminder that these can vary by age. The paragraph concludes with a light-hearted call to action for viewers to engage with the video content and subscribe for future videos.

Keywords

💡Pulse Oximeter

A pulse oximeter is a non-invasive medical device that measures the oxygen saturation in a patient's blood, specifically in arterial blood. It is typically a small, portable device that clips onto the finger and provides a reading within seconds. In the video, the pulse oximeter is discussed as a crucial tool for monitoring oxygen levels and heart rate, which is vital for understanding a patient's cardiopulmonary health. The script mentions that it is used by healthcare professionals and can also be kept at home by patients with cardiopulmonary issues.

💡Oxygen Saturation

Oxygen saturation refers to the percentage of hemoglobin molecules in the blood that are bound to oxygen. It is a critical parameter in assessing a person's respiratory and metabolic health. The video emphasizes the importance of monitoring oxygen saturation as it indicates whether the body's tissues are receiving adequate oxygen. The pulse oximeter measures this level, and the normal range for adults is mentioned as 95 to 100%, with levels below 90% considered potentially dangerous.

💡Heart Rate

Heart rate is the number of times the heart beats per minute, reflecting the heart's activity level. In the context of the video, the pulse oximeter not only measures oxygen saturation but also provides a heart rate measurement. This dual functionality is important as heart rate and oxygen saturation readings complement each other, helping medical professionals assess a patient's overall cardiopulmonary status.

💡Arterial Blood

Arterial blood is the blood that carries oxygen from the heart to the rest of the body. It is distinguished from venous blood, which carries deoxygenated blood back to the heart. The video script explains that pulse oximeters specifically measure oxygen saturation in arterial blood, which is crucial for assessing the body's oxygenation levels.

💡Non-Invasive

Non-invasive refers to a method or procedure that does not involve penetration of the body's interior. In the video, it is mentioned that pulse oximeters are non-invasive, meaning they can measure oxygen saturation and heart rate without the need for any invasive procedures like drawing blood. This makes them a convenient and safe tool for continuous monitoring.

💡Hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is an iron-containing molecule in red blood cells that binds to oxygen and facilitates its transport throughout the body. The video discusses how pulse oximeters measure the amount of oxygen being carried by hemoglobin, which is indicated by the reading known as SpO2 (oxygen saturation). Hemoglobin's role in oxygen transport is essential for understanding the significance of SpO2 measurements.

💡SpO2

SpO2 stands for peripheral capillary oxygen saturation and represents the percentage of oxygen saturation in the blood. It is a key measurement provided by pulse oximeters, as discussed in the video. The term is used to describe the primary function of the device, which is to measure the oxygen saturation level, with normal values ranging from 95 to 100%.

💡Hypoxemia

Hypoxemia is a condition characterized by abnormally low levels of oxygen in the blood. The video script mentions that if a pulse oximeter consistently shows readings below 90%, it could indicate hypoxemia, which requires medical attention and may be treated with supplemental oxygen. This term is important as it highlights a potential health risk associated with low oxygen saturation levels.

💡Respiratory Therapist

A respiratory therapist is a healthcare professional specializing in the treatment and management of patients with respiratory disorders. In the video, respiratory therapists are mentioned as users of pulse oximeters to monitor patients' oxygenation levels and heart rates. Their role underscores the clinical importance of pulse oximetry in respiratory care.

💡Cardiopulmonary

Cardiopulmonary refers to the combined functions of the heart and lungs, which are essential for the circulation of blood and the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The video discusses how pulse oximeters provide vital sign readings, such as heart rate and oxygen saturation, which are crucial for assessing a patient's cardiopulmonary status. Understanding the cardiopulmonary system is key to appreciating the significance of the data provided by pulse oximeters.

Highlights

A pulse oximeter is a device used to monitor a patient's oxygen saturation and heart rate non-invasively.

It measures the level of oxygen within the blood, specifically in arterial blood.

The device clips onto the finger and provides a reading within seconds.

Lack of oxygen in the blood can indicate serious pulmonary issues.

Pulse oximeters are used by healthcare professionals to monitor patients' cardiopulmonary status.

Some patients with cardiopulmonary problems are recommended to keep a pulse oximeter at home.

Pulse oximeters work by shining a light through the finger to measure oxygen levels in the blood.

The device compensates for ambient light and finger size to ensure accurate readings.

It uses a reference curve to calibrate and normalize readings for precision.

The primary function is to measure oxygen saturation, known as SpO2, and calculate heart rate.

Pulse oximetry is non-invasive, providing results in seconds without drawing blood.

Minimizing patient movement and ensuring no nail polish is worn improves reading accuracy.

The middle finger of the right hand is found to give the most accurate readings.

Pulse oximeters can be purchased on Amazon at affordable rates.

There are no risks or dangers in using a pulse oximeter, but inaccurate readings could lead to poor patient treatment.

The normal range for heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute, and for oxygen saturation, it's 95 to 100%.

Hypoxemia, or low oxygen levels, is treated with supplemental oxygen if saturation drops below 90%.

Consistently abnormal readings should prompt a consultation with a doctor or medical professional.

Transcripts

what's up guys in this video we are

going to discuss pretty much everything

there is to know about pulse oximeters

are you ready let's go

[Music]

so since you're here watching this video

you may be wondering what exactly is a

pulse oximeter a pulse oximeter is a

device that is used to quickly and

easily monitor a patient's oxygen

saturation this means that it can

measure the level of oxygen within the

blood specifically in arterial blood

without using any invasive means it is

typically a small portable device that

clips onto the finger and provides a

reading within seconds and in addition

to monitoring oxygen saturation the

device provides a heart rate measurement

as well arterial blood flows to parts of

the body from the heart fresh with

oxygen where it diffuses to the

surrounding tissues and cells and if

there is a lack of oxygen in the blood

that means that your body tissues will

not be oxygenated properly and can be

hazardous to your health

this can be an indication of serious

pulmonary issues and that is why it's so

important to use a pulse oximeter

respiratory therapist as well as other

healthcare professionals use these

portable devices to constantly monitor

their patients oxygenation levels and

their heart rate and these vital sign

readings help provide a better

understanding of the patient's overall

cardiopulmonary status and in some cases

it is also recommended that patients

with cardiopulmonary problems keep their

very own pulse oximeter at home so if

that's you and you're looking to

purchase a pulse oximeter I put a few

links down below to some of our top

recommendations so how exactly does a

pulse oximeter work pulse oximeters work

on a simple but brilliant principle so

basically the pulse oximeter shines a

light through your finger and by doing

so it can measure the amount of oxygen

that's at your blood blood absorbs light

and there's a distinct difference

between the wavelengths that go through

oxygenated and deoxygenated blood the

finger clip of the pulse oximeter

consists of a transmitting light source

that emits a bra

spectrum of light and on the other side

there's a receiver that measures how

much light passes through the finger the

diode on the receiving end is capable of

detecting the wavelength of light the

internal circuits and processing

components of the pulse oximeter do some

calculations as well and that is because

the device has to compensate for ambient

light so for example the light in your

room or from the Sun it also has to

compensate for the size of the finger

and for the absorbance of the rest of

the tissues the device has a reference

curved that is saved into its memory and

it uses this as a way to calibrate

incoming readings and to normalize them

so that you can get an accurate reading

and this helps to increase the precision

of the results that it provides so what

does a pulse oximeter measure now as we

mentioned before a pulse oximeter

measures the oxygen saturation in the

blood and it gives a heart rate

measurement and when I say it measures

the saturation of oxygen in the blood

I'm of course talking about arterial

blood more precisely it measures the

amount of oxygen that is being carried

by hemoglobin and this reading is known

as the spo2 so the primary function of a

pulse oximeter is to measure oxygen

saturation and by doing so the heart

rate is automatically calculated

alongside of the percentage of oxygen so

heart rate and oxygen saturation

complement one another and doctors and

respiratory therapists rely on these

readings to know how to properly treat

their patients so if you already have a

pulse oximeter you may be wondering how

to use it the best part of pulse

oximetry is that is non-invasive back in

the day doctors had to draw blood from

the patient and perform several tests in

order to find out the percentage of

oxygen saturation now we can get that

reading in a matter of seconds by using

a pulse oximeter all you have to do is

clip the device on the middle finger or

Oh NATO or even on an earlobe some

models are even surface probes that can

attach to the patient's forehead or even

their chest and once the device is

attached and turned on it will provide

you with the readings in a matter of

seconds but to get reliable realistic

readings you should try to minimize the

patient's movement as much as possible

and also if you're using a fingertip

pulse oximeter make sure that you're not

wearing any nail polish if you're using

it on yourself or if you're a medical

professional make sure that the patient

does not have on any nail polish as well

and another question that I hear quite

often is which finger is best for a

pulse oximeter if you didn't know

accuracy is often the biggest concern

when it comes to measuring oxygen

saturation with a pulse oximeter some

studies were performed and it actually

showed that the middle finger of the

right hand gives the best accuracy and

surprisingly the thumb of the right hand

came in second this is a bit of a

surprise for doctors respiratory

therapists and medical practitioners

because the same study showed that about

80% of health care workers tend to clip

the pulse oximeter to the patient's

index finger but with that all said the

differences were negligible and any

finger as long as the device is secure

on the finger should give you an

accurate reading but if you had to

choose you can always go with the middle

finger of the right hand and since

you've made it this far you may be

wondering can you purchase a pulse

oximeter on Amazon and the answer is yes

of course you can each of the pulse

oximeter is that we recommend can be

purchased on Amazon at a pretty

affordable rate and just be sure to

check with your doctor and the

manufacturer to make sure that the

device meets your needs especially as a

health care professional but if you want

to see the ones that rear end just check

out the links down below in the

description and now let's talk about the

risk of using a pulse oximeter

now thankfully there aren't any risk or

dangers of using a pulse oximeter the

biggest concern is making sure that the

device is given an accurate reading this

is especially true for doctors

respiratory therapists and medical

professionals that is because if the

pulse oximeter gives inaccurate results

that could lead to poor patient

treatment and care and yes while

technically it is true that there aren't

any dangers and using the device itself

like you're not going to get shocked or

anything but there could be some very

serious dangers if the results are not

in the normal ranges and that is what we

are going to talk about next what are

the normal ranges for a pulse oximeter

now we've already discussed what pulse

oximeter is measure and how they work

now we need to talk about what the

normal ranges are for a heart rate and

oxygen saturation the normal range for

heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute

the normal range for oxygen saturation

is 95 to 100% now keep in mind these are

the normal values for an average adult

these ranges differ depending on your

age so that means your normal range

could be different than someone else's

normal range depending on how old you

are and while the normal range for

oxygen saturation is 95 to 100% the

level isn't considered to be dangerously

low until it drops below 90% in such a

case that is referred to as hypoxemia

which means that there is an abnormally

low level of oxygen in the blood

hypoxemia is treated with supplemental

oxygen so if you are a regular user of a

pulse oximeter at home and the results

that you are getting are consistently

falling outside of the normal ranges

it will probably be wise for you to

consider seeing your doctor or seeking

professional medical advice

and the final step of using a pulse

oximeter is to take your index finger

and smash that like button

okay okay I'm just kidding that's

obviously not a step but I would greatly

appreciate it because it really helps

support the channel alright guys that my

friends is pretty much everything you

need to know about a pulse oximeter and

just one final reminder I put links to

our favorite pulse oximeters to purchase

for home use down below in the

description so check those out if you're

interested I hope this video was helpful

and informative for you if so again

please hit that thumbs up button for me

and leave a comment below letting me

know if there's any specific topics that

you want us to cover in a future video

and definitely don't forget to subscribe

and tight on the notification bill

because we got some really good videos

that will be coming out soon and you

don't want to miss them that's it for

this one thanks again for watching and I

will see you in the next video and as

always breathe easy my friend

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