General Nursing (RGN)
Checking and Recording of Oxygen Saturation (SpO2)
Measurement and documentation of peripheral oxygen saturation using a pulse oximeter to assess oxygenation.
Purpose
- Measure peripheral oxygen saturation.
- Monitor oxygenation status.
- Identify abnormal oxygen saturation readings.
- Monitor response to respiratory treatment.
Indications
- Routine monitoring of vital signs.
- Patients with respiratory symptoms.
- Patients receiving oxygen therapy.
- Patients requiring oxygenation monitoring.
Equipment
- Pulse oximeter
- Vital signs chart (Manual or electronic)
- Alcohol swabs
- Pen
Procedure steps
- Explain procedure to patient.
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Select appropriate site such as finger, ear lobe or toe.
- Ensure site is clean and free of nail polish/artificial nails where applicable.
- Attach pulse oximeter probe.
- Switch on device and wait for steady reading/waveform.
- Note oxygen saturation percentage and pulse rate.
- Remove probe.
- Clean probe with alcohol swab.
- Record SpO2 with date and time.
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Report abnormal readings.
Precautions
- Use an appropriate measurement site.
- Ensure the site is suitable for measurement.
- Wait for a stable reading.
- Consider factors that may interfere with pulse oximeter readings.
- Interpret the result in the context of the patient's clinical condition and prescribed target range.
- Report abnormal readings promptly.
Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.
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