The nurse is caring for a patient who was just pulled from a freezing lake.The patient's pulse oximetry reads 68% although the patient is not in respiratory distress.What is the correct interpretation of these assessment findings?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pulse oximeters will not give accurate readings unless the patient's extremities are within normal temperature ranges.The patient was just pulled from the freezing lake so the pulse oximeter adhesive would not have been left on too long.Supplemental oxygen administration will not falsely lower pulse oximeter readings.Placing the pulse oximeter underneath the warming blanket would not cause it to overheat.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Was Just