Saunders Respiratory Practice

Which action should a nurse take to ensure accurate pulse oximetry readings?

1. Encourage the client to breathe deeply

2. Keep the room temperature low

3. Ask the client to limit motion in the hand attached

4. Check the pulse oximeter's battery life

The correct answer is: Ask the client to limit motion in the hand attached

To ensure accurate pulse oximetry readings, asking the client to limit motion in the hand attached is crucial. Motion can cause interference in the detection of light signals that the pulse oximeter uses to measure oxygen saturation in the blood. Excessive movement may lead to false readings or fluctuations that do not accurately represent the patient’s actual oxygen saturation levels. By minimizing movement, the nurse helps ensure the device can effectively capture the necessary signals without interference, resulting in reliable and precise readings. While encouraging the client to breathe deeply could enhance overall respiratory function, it does not directly impact the accuracy of the pulse oximeter readings. Similarly, keeping the room temperature low can lead to peripheral vasoconstriction, potentially affecting blood flow and readings, while checking the pulse oximeter's battery life is important for maintaining equipment but does not directly influence the accuracy of the readings at that moment. Therefore, it is the minimization of motion specifically that directly contributes to obtaining accurate pulse oximetry measurements.