Directions for Use Chapter 3 Patient Monitoring 39
Monitoring SpO
2
Warnings and Cautions — SpO
2
WARNING Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for care and use of the
SpO
2
sensor.
WARNING The accuracy of the SpO
2
measurement can be affected by any of
the following:
• the presence of significant amounts of dysfunctional hemoglobin, such as
carboxyhemoglobin or methemoglobin
• the presence of concentrations of some intravascular dyes, sufficient to
change the patient’s usual arterial pigmentation
• patient movement
• patient conditions such as shivering and smoke inhalation
• painted nails
• poor oxygen perfusion
• anemia or low concentrations of hemoglobin
• hypotension or hypertension
• severe vasoconstriction
• shock or cardiac arrest
• venous pulsations or sudden and significant changes in pulse rate
• proximity to an MRI environment
• moisture in the sensor
• excessive ambient light, especially fluorescent
• wrong sensor or sensor too tight
WARNING If there is any question of the accuracy of an SpO
2
measurement,
verify the measurement using another clinically accepted measurement method.