Pulse Oximetry Key Terms

Capillaries Tiny blood vessels that allow for exchange of nutrients and gases between the blood and the body cells

Cyanosis Bluish color of the skin, nails beds, and/or lips due to an insufficient amount of oxygen in the blood.

Hemoglobin The iron-containing protein of the red blood cells; serves to carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues.

Hypoxia Without oxygen.

Infrared light A light emitter that shines through a partially transparent site with good blood flow. Typical adult/pediatric sites (areas) are the finger, toe, pinna (top) or lobe of the ear. Infant sites are the foot or palm of the hand and the big toe or thumb.

Level of Consciousness is a measurement of a person's arousability (ability to be awake and alert) and responsiveness to stimuli from the environment (such as follow verbal commands).

Oxygen Saturation Oxygen saturation is an indicator of the percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen at the time of the measurement.

Oxygen Transport The transport of oxygen, to the cells, and carbon dioxide, from the cells, by the lungs (via capillaries).

Pulse Oximetry Is a non-invasive (does not break the patient ’ s skin or body openings) method allowing the monitoring of the amount of oxygen of a patient's hemoglobin.

Respiration The process of taking in oxygen (O 2 ), inspiration and expelling carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), expiration by the lungs and air passages.

Respiratory Status An assessment of the effectiveness of one ’ s respirations.

Shortness of Breath Shortness of breath, also called dyspnea, a subjective (from the person ’ s perspective) difficulty or distress in breathing, usually associated with disease of the heart or lungs.