Suggested Level of Knowlege: Detailed

NOTE

Oximetry is used in many applications, such as blood gas analysis, Near Infrared Spectroscopy and pulmonary artery catheters.

LOs

BT_SQ 1.6 Describe the methods of measurement applicable to anaesthesia, including clinical utility, complications and sources of error in particular:

· SI units

· Measurement of volumes, flows, and pressures, including transducers.

· Measurement of blood pressure

· Measurement of cardiac output

· Measurement of temperature

· Oximetry

· Gas analysis, including capnography

· Methods used to measure respiratory function, including:

- Forced expiratory volume  

-  Peak expiratory flow rate  

-  Vital capacity  

-  Flow-volume loops  

-  Functional residual capacity and residual volume

Past SAQs

2016.2 Explain the reasons why a pulse oximeter may give incorrect readings.

References

Recommended Texts

Best is Lake Hines and Blitt

Magee & Tooley Chapter 15

Other References

Lake is very similar to Pulse Oximetry, Tremper & Barker, Anesthesiology 70:98-108 1989. If you ignore the first section on history, the explanation of basic oximetry is still good.

Oximetry