A nurse is preparing to measure a client’s level of oxygen saturation on a patient who has had a bilateral lower leg amputation. He noticed the patient’s hands are very edematous.

The nurse should apply the pulse oximeter probe to which of the following locations?

A. The client:

The client is the most reliable source of information about their own health. Direct communication with the client allows the nurse to gather details about their symptoms, medical history, current health status, and any other relevant information. This is crucial for accurate assessment and care planning.

B. Progress note:

Progress notes are documentation by healthcare providers that summarize the client's clinical status, interventions, and responses to care. While progress notes can provide valuable information, they are not always as up-to-date as direct communication with the client.

C. Medical history:

The medical history contains information about the client's past health conditions, treatments, and surgeries. While important, medical history may not capture the most recent or current information, especially if there have been recent changes in the client's health.

D. Family information:

Family information can provide additional context, support, and insights into the client's health. However, it may not always be as accurate or comprehensive as the information obtained directly from the client. Family members may not be aware of recent changes or may have different perspectives on the client's health.

A. Skin fold:

This may not be the best choice in this situation because the skin fold might not provide an accurate reading, especially if the hands are edematous.

B. Toe:

While the toe is a common site for pulse oximetry, in a patient with bilateral lower leg amputations, it might not be the most practical option. The nurse might face challenges in securing the pulse oximeter probe on the toe, and the accuracy of the reading could be affected.

C. Earlobe:

This is often a suitable alternative site for pulse oximetry when peripheral perfusion is compromised in the extremities. In this case, with bilateral lower leg amputations and edematous hands, applying the pulse oximeter probe to the earlobe is a good choice.

D. Finger:

In a patient with edematous hands, the finger might not be the best choice as the edema could affect the accuracy of the measurement. Additionally, if the patient has lower leg amputations, using the earlobe or another alternative site may be more appropriate.