Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

In monitoring an infant's oxygen saturation using a pulse oximeter, where should the nurse secure the sensor?

1. Wrist.

2. Great toe.

3. Index finger.

4. Heel.

The correct answer is: Great toe.

The appropriate location to secure the pulse oximeter sensor for an infant is on the great toe. This site is often selected for its accessibility and the fact that it provides accurate readings, as the great toe has good blood flow and is less likely to be affected by movement compared to other appendages. When monitoring an infant's oxygen saturation, it's essential to use a site where blood perfusion is adequate to ensure the reliability of the readings. The great toe fulfills these criteria, making it a more reliable choice than the wrist or index finger, which can be less effective due to potential movement or poor perfusion in younger patients. The heel is another common site, but the great toe is generally preferred due to its ease of access and stable positioning. Thus, choosing the great toe strikes a balance between accuracy and practicality in a clinical setting for infants.