Which components shine light through the pulsing blood in the finger in a pulse oximeter?

Prepare for the Essentials for Oral Sedation Monitoring Test. Study with comprehensive flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with detailed explanations. Ace your exam with confidence today!

Multiple Choice

Which components shine light through the pulsing blood in the finger in a pulse oximeter?

Explanation:
Pulse oximetry relies on sending light into the finger and picking up how much of it passes through the tissue. The light sources used are the two diodes: one infrared and one red. These diodes emit light at two wavelengths so the device can compare how oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin absorb each wavelength differently. The light then travels through the finger and is detected on the other side by a detector; the processor uses those measurements to determine oxygen saturation. Detectors, the processor, and the battery all have different roles, but the actual light emission comes from the red and infrared diodes.

Pulse oximetry relies on sending light into the finger and picking up how much of it passes through the tissue. The light sources used are the two diodes: one infrared and one red. These diodes emit light at two wavelengths so the device can compare how oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin absorb each wavelength differently. The light then travels through the finger and is detected on the other side by a detector; the processor uses those measurements to determine oxygen saturation. Detectors, the processor, and the battery all have different roles, but the actual light emission comes from the red and infrared diodes.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy