Pulse and Pain Scale

 Pulse Oximetry 

Learning Objectives: 

 

At the end of the lecture, the student will be able to do the following: 

 

1. Define pulse oximetry. 

2. Explain the factors affecting pulse oximetry. 

Oxygen Saturation 

Definition: 

 

It‘s a noninvasive device that measures a client's arterial blood 

oxygen saturation by means of a sensor attached to the client's finger, 

toe, nose, earlobe, or forehead. It can detect hypoxemia before clinical 

signs and symptoms such as dusky skin color and dusky nail bed color. 


Factors Affecting Oxygen Saturation Reading: 

 

1. Hemoglobin; if the hemoglobin is fully saturated with oxygen, the 

saturation will appear normal even if the total hemoglobin level is 

low. 

2. Circulation. 

 

3. Activity; shivering or excessive movement of the sensor site may 

interfere with accurate reading. 

4. Carbon monoxide poisoning. 


Pain Scale 

 

Learning Objectives: 

 

At the end of the lecture, the student will be able to do the following: 

 

1. Define pain. 

 

2. Explain the purpose of assessing pain scale. 

 

3. Level using scale of 0-10. 

 

4. Observe for non-verbal cues. 

 

Pain Scale 

 

Definition of Pain: 

Is "an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with 

actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage. 

Pain scale: 1 to 10. 

 

1. 1 to 3—mild pain. 

 

2. 4 to 6---moderate pain 

 

3. 7 to 10—severe pain 

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