Other issues

Nail varnish - Some research has shown that dark nail varnish bias pulse oximeter readings, but not by a clinically significant amount 1,2. However there are limitations to this research such as a lack of trials at lower saturations, so in practice nail carnish should still be removed.

Intravenous dyes (such as methylene blue, indigo carmine and indocyanine green) can cause inaccurate readings 3.

External interference. There have been reports of interference with pulse oximeter readings, for example from a nerver stimulator 4 and from a fluorescent light 5.



previous next: myths

www.pulseox.info
page last modified: 01/01/2009
Home
Pulse oximetry
What is oxygen saturation?
What does it mean?
How does it work?
Limitations
  Poor signal
  Carbon dioxide
  Delays
  Carbon monoxide
  Methaemoglobin
  Skin pigmentation
  Other issues
Myths

Oxygen transport

Full reference list
Links
Contact me / feedback