Please Help! Best way to get a sticky pox on an infant?

Nurses General Nursing

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those wiggling babies that need to have a pox on their foot or toe?

what's the best way to get one on. I've heard to go around the fatty part of the foot.

does the light have to match the other part of the sticky part? i've heard conflicting things. so, how does it work and what method is best? thanks! i get stuck in babies rooms so long because it just doesn't pick up right and takes forever to get on just right.

Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

Open up the indicator. Firmly hold the baby's foot in your non-dominant hand - easiest if you keep the foot and your hand on a flat surface. Place the working portion on the big toe (or foot) and wrap the the flexible strip around.

P.S. Took me a while to figure out 'sticky pox.' Why would someone want to put a pox on a baby? !!!!

Specializes in OR, peds, PALS, ICU, camp, school.

You will always have them wiggling out of a good reading. For babies >1month usually the toe works best. For neos try the foot. If you don't get a good waveform you're not at a good spot. Use extra tape id need be and put a sock over the whole thing... it keeps the foot warmer for better perfusion to read and keeps your sensor out of little mouths! Try to elicit a Babinski reflex if the baby curls the toes under while your trying to wrap.

Specializes in med/surg and Tele.

What is a Sticky-Pox...sounds terrible...lol Im non OB if u couldnt tell.

Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

The sensors do need to line up or you will get constant alarms because the light has to hit the sensor (the unlit part) and works better in a straight line. Also, per the manufacturer, the wire should go towards the heel not hang off the tip of the toe. A piece of tape securing the wire to the foot should help and the sock hint is absolutely true. You can also use the wrist if the toes aren't working. Cover that hand with a sock though or the baby will likely use it as a pacifier.

Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

TampaTech - - -Hahahahaha!!!! It should have read something like ' pulse-ox sensor'. These are the kind that are very small and have a sticky tape to hold them in place. It took me a few minutes to figure it out, and I have used them (and have had them used on me!). Why would anyone want to give a kid the 'sticky pox' - that would be like getting chicken pox from a post-it note! !!!!

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