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

What is a Pulse Oximeter? How to Use It? How Does Pulse Oximetry Work to Measure Heart Rate and Oxygen Saturation? Watch this video to find out!

🟦 Our Top Recommended Pulse Oximeters for Home Use:

💡 Affiliate Disclosure: These links are affiliate links which means that, if you click and make a purchase, we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

➡️ What is a Pulse Oximeter?
A Pulse Oximeter is a device that is used to quickly and easily monitor a person’s oxygen saturation. This means that is can measure the level of oxygen within the blood, specifically in arterial blood without using any invasive means.

➡️ How Does a Pulse Oximeter Work?
Pulse oximeters work on a simple but brilliant principle. Blood absorbs light, and there’s a distinct difference between the wavelengths that go through oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood. The finger clip of a pulse oximeter consists of a transmitting light source that emits a broad spectrum of light. On the other end, there’s a receiver that measures how much light passes through. 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. The device has to compensate for the ambient light, finger size, and the absorbance of the rest of the tissues. There’s a reference curve saved in the memory of the device to calibrate the incoming readings and normalize them. This increases the precision of the results that it provides.

➡️ What Does a Pulse Oximeter Measure?
Pulse Oximeters measure the percentage of arterial oxygen primarily. In more precise terms, this is the amount of oxygen carried on blood hemoglobin. It’s known as SpO2. Heart rate (HR) is automatically calculated alongside the percentage of oxygen. HR and SpO2 complement one another, and clinicians find this double parameter readout quite informative.

➡️ How to Use a Pulse Oximeter?
Using a pulse oximeter is quite simple. You clip it on the middle right finger, a toe, or an earlobe. Some models are surface probes that you can attach to the forehead or chest.

➡️ Which Finger Is Best for a Pulse Oximeter?
The verdict came out that the middle finger of the right hand gives the best accuracy. The thumb of the same hand follows.

➡️ What are the Risks of Pulse Oximetry?
Thankfully, there aren’t any risks or dangers of using a pulse oximeter. The biggest concern is making sure that the device is giving an accurate reading.

➡️ What are the Normal Ranges for a Pulse Oximeter?
Heart rate – 60-100 beats/min
Oxygen Saturation – 95-100%

—————

📗 BEST STUDY GUIDES FOR YOU

🥼BEST RESPIRATORY MERCH

—————

💙MORE FROM RTZ

🌐FOLLOW US

—————

⏰TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Intro
0:20 - What is a Pulse Oximeter?
1:56 - How Does a Pulse Oximeter Work?
3:23 - What Does a Pulse Oximeter Measure?
4:19 - How to Use a Pulse Oximeter?
5:22 - Which Finger Is Best for a Pulse Oximeter?
6:51 - What are the Risks of Pulse Oximetry?
7:40 - What are the Normal Ranges for a Pulse Oximeter?

—————
🎸MUSIC
Song: Elektronomia - Limitless [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds.

💡DISCLAIMER
Medicine and Respiratory Therapy are continuously changing practices. The information in this video is for educational and entertainment purposes only. For medical advice, please consult with a physician or qualified medical professional.

#PulseOximeter #PulseOximetry #OxygenSaturation

[np]

This is the first of three videos that did not need subtitles. Thank You!

[timothyadams]

Wow my wife's in the hospital right now using a pulse oximeter and she has painted fingernails no one mentioned that that was an issue thanks for the info I will share this seems to me a lot of nurses are not using those properly

[Mourningdove]

Thank you for such an awesome explanation...you answered all my questions with a warm and soothing voice! Thanks!

[fitfinlay]

It was good that you gave the normal ranges for the oximeter as this info is so hard to find and is what everyone wants to know .

[MyOpinion]

Hi, thank you for the great video. One thing that wasn't menationed was, does it matter which way the sensor is clipped onto the finger? Your illustration shows it clipped sideways, which I have never seen. But when placed FLAT, there is still a side that has the lead attached and a side that doesn't. Which way is UP?

[glendallaneta]

Thank you mam i admire po maging isang caregiver someday and salute to all of you and thank you po s apag share

[antonionibarillas]

P recently I have a covid-19 and they affect my long and now I buy this device and I try to learn them thank you for helping us

[nanerbell]

Thanks I was searching for what are normal levels and you were the the one I found to be most detailed to provide it all other videos missed that crucial info

[samlungguice]

Thank you so much, would you mind highlighting some of the other limitations in addition to paintings on the nails .... And you mentioned of it being used in determining the heart rate though the principle behind this was said But it was really such a clear info as to how the oxygen saturation is determined.... Thank you

[beverlydemarco]

I AM IN STAGE4 COPD SO I USE THIS OXIMETER ALL DAY TO CHECK MY OXYGEN, GREAT DEVISE TO HAVE AND SIMPLE TO USE.

[noeljohnrebello]

All of your information is great....Many people are making mistakes here is to recognise which is the reading for oxygen and heart rates, cause they can't differentiate between the readings. I Think no one tells us which reading is for heart and which is for oxygen.

[NeuroPulse]

This is timely information with the COVID-19 spreading and causing pneumonia. Especially since hospitals do not have the capacity for the number of patients. Basic home treatment abilities are a must.

[navnitachaudhuri]

Thank you god idea to keep one at home

[annettemoorshead]

This was excellently explained and thorough! Could you please tell me if people need to place the finger clear to the very tip end of the pulse oximeter or not??? If so, I would greatly appreciate knowing the answer to my question!

[francineharris]

Extremely well explained. Thoroughly clear. Will check out the oximeters suggested. Thanks!

[paulferguson]

Do pulse oximeter accuracy depending on calibration,
Pulse oximeter readers at the hospitals and doctors officers, do they both have the same calibration to be accurate

[ke]

thanks a lot, very well explained, professionally unlike other videos on youtube. Really put my mind at ease, I just got PO because of mild covid. Made me reassured that readings are normal and i used it correctly....great to know that its just semi blocked nose and not really low blood oxygen levels ;) just annoying to breath through mouth.

[dlumford]

I purchased one because I wanted to monitor myself during the Covid

[juanpaulo]

This content is very informative. Thank you! I would like to ask is there specific time or best time to get the sp02 within the day?

[l.a.raustadt]

I bought one and use one daily from years ago. Back when I was working as a commercial driver and have sarc and legally could not operate semi at below 95% oxy saturation. Had to know !