Pulse Oximetry and Blood Test

Subject: Medical and Surgical Nursing I (Theory)

Overview

A technique called pulse oximetry is performed to determine the blood's oxygen saturation level. A blood test analyzes a sample of blood to ascertain things like paternity, blood type, the presence of an infection or another pathological condition, etc.

An elastic band (tourniquet) is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and cause the vein to swell with blood if the blood is being drawn from a vein. The skin surface is also cleaned with antiseptic. Blood is drawn out and collected in a vial or syringe by inserting a needle into a vein (typically on the back of the hand or inside the elbow of the arm).

The elastic band is taken off once the procedure is finished. After the blood has been drawn, the needle is taken out, and the wound is bandaged or covered with cotton to stop the bleeding. It will only take a few minutes to complete the test.

Note
Things to remember

Pulse Oximetry

A technique called pulse oximetry is performed to determine the blood's oxygen saturation level. It is a simple, painless test to determine how well oxygen is being delivered to the body parts that are farthest from the heart, such the arms and legs.

Blood Test

A test of a sample of blood to determine blood group, a presence of infection or other pathological condition, parentage, etc.

Procedure

A health professional will usually draw the blood from a vein. For an infant, the blood may be obtained by puncturing the heel with a small needle (lancet). If the blood is being drawn from a vein, the skin surface is cleaned with antiseptic, and an elastic band (tourniquet) is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and cause the vein to swell with blood. A needle is inserted into a vein (usually in the arm inside of the elbow or on the back of the hand) and blood is withdrawn and collected in a vial or syringe.

After the procedure, the elastic band is removed. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed and the area is covered with cotton or a bandage to stop the bleeding. The entire test will only take a few minutes.

References

Mandal, G. (August 2013). A Textbook of Adult Health Nursing (2nd ed.). Dilllibazar kathmandu: Makalu publication house. Retrieved August 2013
www.hopkinsmedicine.org › Health Library
www.nonin.com/Normal-Oxygen-Level

Things to remember

Pulse oximetry is a test used to measure the oxygen level (oxygen saturation) of the blood.