Pulse Oximetry Test - Uses, Readings, & Procedure

It is known to all that oxygen is mandatory for living beings to survive. Pulse oximetry is a quick and inexpensive test to measure the level of oxygen in your blood. Such a test can be highly beneficial, particularly for people dealing with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases.

Are you concerned about the uses and effectiveness of a pulse oximetry test? Find out all about it with this article!

Red blood cells in your blood are mainly responsible for carrying oxygen from your lungs to other organs. However, if you suffer from any lung or heart disease, these cells might experience a drop in oxygen level. When this oxygen level falls lower than the minimum requirement, your body fails to perform normally. It is mainly because the heart, lungs, and other organs need oxygen to complete their essential functions. A pulse oximetry test can be helpful in this context.

Thus, if you wonder what a pulse oximetry test is, it is mainly used to check the blood oxygen level and heart rate in individuals, particularly before surgery.

• Tracks your blood oxygen level while conducting surgeries
• Diagnoses issues such as shortness of breath
• Demonstrates the requirements for extra oxygen if you exercise
• Examines oxygen levels if you use supplemental oxygen
• Check if lung medicines are working

• Heart attack or failure 
• Anaemia
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Asthma
• Lung cancer
• Pneumonia

If you are wondering how to read pulse oximetry test reports, it is mostly done by the nurses. The process takes time. You need to hold the pulse oximeter in its place for at least one minute or more. Record the highest result on the oximeter if the reading does not change for about five seconds. The reading shows your heart rate and oxygen level, so you need to note it accordingly.

Now that you have an idea about what pulse oximetry reading is, you might be wondering about the ways to prepare for it. It is a quick and straightforward process and does not involve any needles.

However, you might need to consider the following factors before taking a reading.

• Remove any nail paint or jewellery from your finger
• Keep your hand warm and relaxed
• Try to keep your heartbeat normal by not being excited or scared
• Keep the device on for as long as it takes to stabilise
• Remove it carefully once the reading is clear

A pulse oximeter is a small, clip-like device. The nurses usually put it on the finger, toe or ear of the patient. In some cases, they might apply a sticky disposable probe on your skin before taking a reading. It uses a particular type of light to examine the amount of oxygen present in the red blood cells currently travelling through the blood vessels under your skin. The test is quick and painless and can also measure your heart rate.

Once the reading is done, the nurse takes the oximeter off your finger. It is usually a one-time check. However, during surgery, it might stay longer on your body for tracking your blood oxygen level. Moreover, in the current COVID-19 scenario, people prefer to use pulse oximetry tests at home to check blood oxygen levels.

The pulse oximetry test is quick and painless, with no associated complications. There are hardly any real risks in the process. However, some minor issues might include the following.

• The sticky disposal applied before the test might irritate your skin.
• You might fail to get an accurate result for a long time if you use the device in an incorrect manner.

Moreover, your health conditions and other factors might result in additional risks. Therefore, it is advisable to contact your physician and discuss the concerns directly.

Therefore, a pulse oximetry test has been an essential requirement in recent times. It helps healthcare practitioners and individuals find out their heart rate and blood oxygen levels. Furthermore, it allows them to make serious medical decisions based on the information. The process is quick and painless, which makes it an ideal test in most cases.