NJRA Nonin GO2 User manual

New Jersey Respiratory Associates
Nurse Competency Program
Therapy Services:
Pulse Oximetry

Pulse Oximetry
Instruction Check Sheet
Demonstrate:
_____ How to turn oximeter on and off
_____ How to turn oximeter on and off
_____ Placement of Finger Probe
_____ Proper cleaning technique of finger probe
_____ How to read results
Explain:
_____ Things that affect readings
_____ Normal ranges for Pulse Oximetry
_____ Infection Control
Nurse: ______________________________________
Instructor: ____________________________________
Date: ________________________________________

New Jersey Respiratory Associates
Nurse Competency Program
Pulse Oximetry
Overview
Pulse oximetry works by photospectometry. A light on the inside of the patient probe shines a
light through the tissue and receives a signal on the other side. If the patient’s blood is well
saturated with oxygen, a certain kind of wavelength of light is transmitted. If the hemoglobin is
not well saturated with oxygen, another type of wavelength is transmitted. The only way to
get a direct measurement of arterial oxygenation is an arterial blood gas. The pulse oximeter
provides a painless, noninvasive, cost effective manner of estimating the patient’s
oxyhemoglobin.
When using the pulse oximeter:
Clean the inside of the probe and the patient’s finger with alcohol. This removes any
residue on the light source and finger that may interfere with the reading.
Place the lighted side of the probe on the nail bed
DO NOT squeeze the probe on the patient’s finger as tissue injury or a poor reading will
occur.
Watch the strength of the wavelength on the pulse oximeter ( if available) to verify the
stability of the reading.
Watch the patient’s SpO2reading for several minutes until it is stabilized. If an
inadequate or questionable reading is obtained, select another finger.
If you cannot believe the heart rate displayed, you cannot trust the SpO2 reading.
Manually palpate the patient’s pulse to verify the pulse rate displayed on the oximeter.
Things that may affect readings:
Motion artifact
Abnormal hemoglobin
Low perfusion states
Nail polish
Exposure of probe to ambient light
NOTE: The pulse oximeter is only a tool to assist you in the total clinical
evaluation of a patient

Pulse Oximetry
Operators Manual
Nonin GO2
The following is an excerpt from Global Primary Care and
Patient Education Handbook

New Jersey Respiratory Associates
Nurse Competency Program

New Jersey Respiratory Associates
Nurse Competency Program

New Jersey Respiratory Associates
Nurse Competency Program