NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)Clinical Patient CareMedium
A medical assistant is performing a pulse oximetry reading on a patient. The patient has cold hands and is wearing dark nail polish. Which of the following actions should the MA take to ensure an accurate reading?
- AUse a different finger with less nail polish.
- BPlace the probe on the patient's earlobe.
- CWarm the patient's hand and remove the nail polish.
- DApply the probe more tightly to the finger.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Warm the patient's hand and remove the nail polish.
Cold extremities cause vasoconstriction, reducing blood flow, and dark nail polish interferes with light absorption by the sensor, both of which can lead to inaccurate pulse oximetry readings. Warming the hand and removing the polish addresses these issues.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. While using a different finger without polish might work, if all fingers have polish or are cold, this isn't a comprehensive solution. Removing polish is often necessary.
- B. Placing the probe on the earlobe is an alternative site but does not directly address the issues of cold hands or nail polish on fingers, which might still be the primary site if issues were resolved.
- D. Applying the probe more tightly can impede blood flow, further worsening the reading rather than improving accuracy.
Pulse Oximetry Accuracy Factors
Factors like poor circulation (cold extremities), dark nail polish, and motion artifact can interfere with accurate pulse oximetry readings.
- Cold extremities reduce blood flow.
- Dark polish obstructs light sensor.
- Motion causes artifact.
- Alternative sites or corrective actions are needed.
Memory trick: Clear and Warm for O2's Charm