pulse oximeter
noun
plural pulse oximeters
: a noninvasive medical device that utilizes spectrophotometry to measure the oxygen saturation of circulating arterial blood in an individual by determining the percentage of oxygenated hemoglobin pulsating through a network of blood capillaries by way of a sensor attached typically to a finger, toe, or earlobe
Your pulse oximeter will give you a numerical reading—a percentage that indicates the level of oxygen saturation in your blood.
Tara Parker-Pope
Tara Parker-Pope
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web But the physician still did not give his mother oxygen, pointing to the pulse oximeter’s reading. Donovan Thomas, ajc, 27 June 2022 The findings of Valley and his colleagues add to a growing body of research -- dating back to the 1980s -- that suggests flawed pulse oximeter readings among Black and brown patients can be a real and life-threatening issue in medical care. Eliza Mackintosh, CNN, 13 July 2022 The pulse oximeter on his finger showed that his oxygen levels were in the mid-90s — which is normal. A. Ian Wong, STAT, 8 July 2022 In the meantime, Mary and Anthony don't leave the house without Henry's pulse oximeter, oxygen, bag valve mask and rescue meds in case of emergency. Stephanie Emma Pfeffer, PEOPLE.com, 12 Apr. 2022 Epstein explained that one of the first things hospital personnel look at is oxygen saturation, which can be measured through a pulse oximeter. Daniel I. Dorfman, chicagotribune.com, 13 Jan. 2022 Purchase a pulse oximeter at your local pharmacy to keep tabs on your oxygen level. Essence, 29 Dec. 2021 Patients were provided kits with a blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter that also measured heart rate, and a log sheet for tracking vital signs and COVID-19 symptoms. Ashley Abramson, Health.com, 13 Apr. 2022 Two-time Everest summiter Kuntal Joisher, who is based in Mumbai, India, and who watched Furtenbach testing the new pulse oximeter at the north-side Base Camp last year, feels that such a device would only complicate his climb. Nick Davidson, Outside Online, 15 Aug. 2020 See More
Donovan Thomas, ajc, 27 June 2022 The findings of Valley and his colleagues add to a growing body of research -- dating back to the 1980s -- that suggests flawed pulse oximeter readings among Black and brown patients can be a real and life-threatening issue in medical care. Eliza Mackintosh, CNN, 13 July 2022 The pulse oximeter on his finger showed that his oxygen levels were in the mid-90s — which is normal. A. Ian Wong, STAT, 8 July 2022 In the meantime, Mary and Anthony don't leave the house without Henry's pulse oximeter, oxygen, bag valve mask and rescue meds in case of emergency. Stephanie Emma Pfeffer, PEOPLE.com, 12 Apr. 2022 Epstein explained that one of the first things hospital personnel look at is oxygen saturation, which can be measured through a pulse oximeter. Daniel I. Dorfman, chicagotribune.com, 13 Jan. 2022 Purchase a pulse oximeter at your local pharmacy to keep tabs on your oxygen level. Essence, 29 Dec. 2021 Patients were provided kits with a blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter that also measured heart rate, and a log sheet for tracking vital signs and COVID-19 symptoms. Ashley Abramson, Health.com, 13 Apr. 2022 Two-time Everest summiter Kuntal Joisher, who is based in Mumbai, India, and who watched Furtenbach testing the new pulse oximeter at the north-side Base Camp last year, feels that such a device would only complicate his climb. Nick Davidson, Outside Online, 15 Aug. 2020 See More Word History
First Known Use
1984, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
pulse oximeter
noun
: a noninvasive medical device that utilizes spectrophotometry to measure the oxygen saturation of circulating arterial blood in an individual by determining the percentage of oxygenated hemoglobin pulsating through a network of blood capillaries by way of a sensor attached typically to a finger, toe, or earlobe
Note: The pulse oximeter typically sounds an alarm if the blood saturation becomes less than optimal.
Pulse oximeters measure hemoglobin oxygen saturation via an external probe. The light of two varying wavelengths passes through the skin, and the difference in absorbance by arterial blood of these two wavelengths by the photodetector within the pulse oximeter is used to calculate the level of oxygenation. Pediatric Emergency Medicine Reports
Pediatric Emergency Medicine Reports