Health Encyclopedia

Pulse Oximeter

Pulse Oximeter

A pulse oximeter is a device that checks how much oxygen is in the blood.

A small clip is put on a finger, toe, or earlobe. The light beam in the clip measures the oxygen of the red blood cells that move through the cells in the finger, toe, or earlobe. The person's oxygen level can be read on the display.

The pulse oximeter often has an alarm for blood oxygen levels that fall below a safe level.

Last Revised: September 30, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD, MD - Family Medicine & John M. Freedman, MD, MD - Anesthesiology

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