Tricks to getting an Spo2 reading on a difficult patient

delrionurse · Mar 11

mmc51264 said:

What's been some tricks to getting an Spo2 reading on a difficult pt?

We had a 92 DNAR pt that was transferred to us and we could not get an accurate 02 reading. A nurse was freaking out because her o2 was reading 66% (the nurse also said she had a HR of 44 and called a rapid).

It was a good lesson of looking at the pt not the #s. Pt was sitting up, not a care in the world. Looked at all of us as if we were crazy LOL.

So, if a pt has poor perfusion in all digits, ear lobe, what are some places do you all use for getting an 02 reading that is non-invasive (not going to do an ABG/VBG on an obviously not in distress pt).

TIA

Even if the patient is a DNR and 92 y/o, no distress, if the patient meets the criteria for a rapid, and you did all interventions, then there is nothing wrong with calling a rapid. Maybe in this case I would have spoke with the charge nurse before calling the rapid, but some patients are on a continuous pulse ox and it alarms when it's below a certain level. Maybe a respiratory therapist could be called to the unit?

In some facilities it is protocol to call the rapid if the vitals are below a certain level.

Only other trick I know of is using the toe for the pulse ox and do a continuous reading. If the patient had a critical hypoglycemic episode, below 30, I would be concerned also of what can happen because she has other issues going on or potential to.