Pulse oximetry is most useful in which of the following situations?
a. Determining when to extubate an adult
b. Prescribing oxygen therapy for neonates
c. Monitoring patients undergoing chest physical therapy
d. Establishing initial oxygen necessity for home care patients
ANS: C
The oxygen status of a patient being considered for extubation needs to be assessed by an arterial blood gas, not by pulse oximetry, because not only does the patient's oxygen status need assess-ment, but the acid-base balance does as well. Pulse oximetry is not used as a basis for prescribing oxygen therapy in neonates. Neonatologists prefer to base oxygen therapy decisions on arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) rather than oxygen saturation. Pulse oximetry is useful for mon-itoring the oxygen status of patients undergoing chest physical therapy because it gives immedi-ate results and is used for continuous monitoring. Pulse oximetry may not be as useful in pre-scribing oxygen therapy for home care patients.
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