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Data can be provided by a pulse oximeter pegged to a person’s finger, as shown in the diagram - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 24 - 2015 - Paper 1
Question 24
Data can be provided by a pulse oximeter pegged to a person’s finger, as shown in the diagram. (a) What is the oxygen saturation for this person? (b) Outline TWO l... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Data can be provided by a pulse oximeter pegged to a person’s finger, as shown in the diagram - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 24 - 2015 - Paper 1
Step 1
Step 2
Outline TWO limitations of using only the information provided in the diagram to determine the ‘health’ of a person.
Answer
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The pulse oximeter only provides oxygen saturation levels and does not consider other vital signs, such as respiratory rate or blood pressure, which are essential for a comprehensive assessment of health.
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The device does not account for factors like skin pigmentation or nail polish, which may affect the accuracy of the readings, potentially leading to misleading conclusions about the individual's health.
Step 3
Explain TWO advantages in using a pulse oximeter to measure oxygen saturation compared to using another named technology in a specific setting.
Answer
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A pulse oximeter provides immediate and continuous readings, which is crucial in emergency settings where timely decision-making is essential.
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Unlike arterial blood gas (ABG) tests that require blood samples and are more invasive, pulse oximeters are non-invasive, making them easier and quicker to use for monitoring patients' oxygen levels in various settings, including during transport for emergency medical services.