Pulse oximetry measures

Pulse oximetry measures

• A. Arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2)
• B. Electrical activity in the leg muscles
• C. Vertical and horizontal eye movements
• D. The degree and duration of snoring

Answer: (A)

Pulse oximetry uses light absorption at two wavelengths to estimate how much of the hemoglobin in arterial blood is carrying oxygen, giving arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and a pulse rate. This method relies on the pulsatile arterial blood to separate the arterial signal from venous and other tissues, providing a continuous, noninvasive readout during monitoring. The other options describe different physiological signals—electrical activity in leg muscles (EMG), eye movements (EOG), and snoring/airflow noise—not something pulse oximetry measures. So the measurement you get from a pulse oximeter is arterial oxygen saturation.

Pulse oximetry uses light absorption at two wavelengths to estimate how much of the hemoglobin in arterial blood is carrying oxygen, giving arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and a pulse rate. This method relies on the pulsatile arterial blood to separate the arterial signal from venous and other tissues, providing a continuous, noninvasive readout during monitoring. The other options describe different physiological signals—electrical activity in leg muscles (EMG), eye movements (EOG), and snoring/airflow noise—not something pulse oximetry measures. So the measurement you get from a pulse oximeter is arterial oxygen saturation.