Author Question: The nurse has applied a pulse oximeter to the finger of a patient who is hypothermic. The pulse ... (Read 73 times)

ap345 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse has applied a pulse oximeter to the finger of a patient who is hypothermic. The pulse oximeter does not provide a good reading. What action by the nurse is best?

a. Move the oximeter probe to another finger.
b. Assess the fingers for good circulation.
c. Document that the reading cannot be obtained.
d. Remove any fingernail polish present on the fingernail.

Question 2

A patient's blood pressure is 142/76 mm Hg. What does the nurse chart as the pulse pressure?

a. 28
b. 42
c. 58
d. 66

daiying98 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
A patient who is hypothermic may not have good circulation to the extremities. The nurse should assess the patient's circulation, and if it is poor to the extremities, choose another spot at which to measure the oxygen saturation. Moving the probe to another finger or removing nail polish will not help if the problem is poor circulation. The nurse should document appropriately, but needs to do more than just charting that the reading could not be obtained.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The pulse pressure is the difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings. In this case, 142 - 76 = 66.