| ing a healthy environment for your family and for your | | | | If you're working in a medical office or in a setting |
| patients begins with the right equipment – like | | | | where you might need to monitor the health of others, |
| finger pulse oximeters. These small, portable devices | | | | it's a safe bet that finger pulse oximeters are going to |
| allow you to determine the oxygen levels in the blood | | | | be available already – or at least, they should be. |
| of the patient, which can help to rule out numerous | | | | By periodically monitoring the oxygen levels of your |
| conditions when there is an emergent situation. When | | | | charges, you can attend to subtle changes before |
| time is of the essence, a finger pulse oximeter can be | | | | they become emergent. If you are caring for those |
| the best way to determine if medical intervention is | | | | who are unable to tell you when things hurt or when |
| necessary – and how quickly it needs to be | | | | they feel ill, a finger pulse oximeter can do the work |
| summoned. | | | | for them, alerting you to do something for them. There |
| What These Devices Do: | | | | are also medical conditions that might call for the use |
| When you use finger pulse oximeters, you're | | | | of a finger pulse oximeter for monitoring oxygen levels: |
| measuring the amount of oxygen in the body and then | | | | cancers, lung troubles, asthma, allergies, etc. Whenever |
| seeing the results as a measurement of a percentage. | | | | someone might be have troubles breathing, you want |
| The normal percentage of oxygen in the bloodstream | | | | to make sure they are getting enough oxygen in their |
| should be over 94%, meaning that your bloodstream | | | | bloodstream – if not, they will need assistance |
| should be carrying a fair amount of oxygen at any | | | | with breathing or perhaps additional oxygen from a |
| given time. This makes sense. As your blood moves | | | | tank and tubing. |
| through your body, it is supposed to transport | | | | While you might never need finger pulse oximeters, if |
| everything from fuel in to wastes out, so if your blood | | | | you have someone with a medical condition in your |
| isn't getting the oxygen it needs to transport, parts of | | | | family, it never hurts to be prepared. Many first aid |
| your body will be affected. At the same time, a finger | | | | instructors will also recommend purchasing these small |
| pulse oximeter is also taking a measurement of your | | | | health monitors as they can help when you are away |
| pulse, or your heartbeat. While a normal pulse rate can | | | | from medical facilities – like when you are |
| vary widely, depending on your mood and your | | | | camping. Even though finger pulse oximeters aren't |
| condition, anything that's over 110 without any exertion | | | | going to provide medical care, it does help you monitor |
| is considered to be abnormal and something that | | | | a patient until help arrives. And when that help arrives, |
| should be closely watched. | | | | you will be able to tell them what you've seen on the |
| Situations in Which a Finger Pulse Oximeter is | | | | monitor, helping to advance the care they will give. |
| Necessary: | | | | |