A patient on continuous pulse oximetry is receiving supplemental oxygen. Her SpO2 has been 93% ± 2% for the past 12 hours
The pulse oximeter suddenly emits an alarm and reads 78%. A rapid assessment reveals central and peripheral cyanosis and shortness of breath. Which of the following is the appropriate imme-diate action?
a. Take a stat arterial blood gas reading.
b. Recalibrate the pulse oximeter.
c. Change the pulse oximeter probe.
d. Decrease the supplemental oxygen.
ANS: A
Even if the pulse oximeter's accuracy is in question at this time, the fact that the patient is exhib-iting central and peripheral cyanosis and shortness of breath indicates that there is an oxygenation problem. The presence of peripheral cyanosis indicates that the patient's extremities are in a low perfusion state. Taking a stat arterial blood gas is the only way to fully assess this patient's cur-rent oxygenation status.
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