Pulse oximeter


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Pulse oximeter


The pulse oximeter measures the oxygen content of blood. A small clip is put on a finger, toe, or earlobe. The light beam in the clip measures the oxygen of the red blood cells that move through the cells in the finger, toe, or earlobe. The machine puts this information into a digital readout.

The pulse oximeter often has an alarm for blood oxygen levels that fall below a safe level.

Credits


Author Jeannette Curtis
Author Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer Patrice Burgess, MD

- Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Adam Husney, MD

- Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD

- Family Medicine
Last Updated May 25, 2007

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Last updated: May 25, 2007
Author: Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors: Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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