The patient was found in an alley on a cold winter night and is admitted with hypothermia from environmental exposure.She is elderly and is having difficulty breathing.Her breath sounds are diminished,and the tip of her nose is cyanotic.The nurse wants to assess the oxygen level in the patient's blood.She decides to use the pulse oximeter.The best way to apply this to this patient would be with a(n):

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In adults,you can apply reusable and disposable oximeter probes to the earlobe,finger,toe,bridge of the nose,or forehead.For patients with decreased peripheral perfusion,you can apply a forehead sensor.Conditions that decrease arterial blood flow such as peripheral vascular disease,hypothermia,pharmacological vasoconstrictors,hypotension,or peripheral edema affect accurate determination of oxygen saturation in these areas.

The Patient Was Found in an Alley on a Cold