Question

An 8-year-old admitted with an upper-respiratory infection has an order for \(\mathrm{O}_2\) saturation via pulse oximeter. To ensure an accurate reading, the nurse should: A. Place the probe on the child's abdomen B. Recalibrate the oximeter at the beginning of each shift C. Apply the probe and wait 15 minutes before obtaining a reading D. Place the probe on the child's finger

Short answer

Answer: Place the probe on the child's finger.

Step-by-step solution

Evaluate Option A

Placing the pulse oximeter probe on the child's abdomen is not recommended because the pulse oximeter is intended to be placed on extremities such as fingers or toes to read blood oxygen saturation levels.

Evaluate Option B

Recalibrating the oximeter at the beginning of each shift might be important for maintaining the accuracy of the device; however, it won't ensure an accurate reading for this particular child's O2 saturation, as the location of the probe is crucial.

Evaluate Option C

Applying the probe and waiting 15 minutes before obtaining a reading might not be necessary in most cases. Pulse oximeters usually give accurate readings within seconds or a few minutes. Waiting for 15 minutes can delay the proper care needed for the child.

Evaluate Option D

Placing the pulse oximeter probe on the child's finger is the correct method, as it is the standard practice for measuring O2 saturation levels. Finger placement ensures that the oximeter can accurately detect pulsations from the arterial blood flow, giving a proper reading on O2 saturation.

Conclusion

The correct answer is option D: Place the probe on the child's finger. This placement ensures that an accurate O2 saturation reading is obtained using the pulse oximeter. Placing the probe on the finger is the recommended and standard practice for accurate and reliable measurements.