The Oximeter Trace

Question: What do you notice about the oximeter trace in Fig 1?

Fig 1

Question: What do you notice about the oximeter trace in Fig 1?

Answer: The pulse rate is 42 beats per minute The SpO₂ is only 67% - dangerous hypoxia!

Question: What do you think of the pulse waveform?

Fig 1

Question: What do you notice about the oximeter trace in Fig 1?

Answer: The pulse rate is 42 beats per minute The SpO₂ is only 67% - dangerous hypoxia!

Question: What do you think of the pulse waveform?

Answer: The trace is erratic and suggests that either the pulse is weak or the patient is moving. Both of these may cause false readings.

Fig 2 shows a comparison with a normal oximeter trace.

Fig 1

Question: What do you notice about the oximeter trace in Fig 1?

Answer: The pulse rate is 42 beats per minute The SpO₂ is only 67% - dangerous hypoxia!

Question: What do you think of the pulse waveform?

Answer: The trace is erratic and suggests that either the pulse is weak or the patient is moving. Both of these may cause false readings.

Fig 2 shows a comparison with a normal oximeter trace.

Fig 2 Comparison of erratic and normal oximeter traces