Free Practice Quiz Question List

2 Oxygen Saturation and Pulse Oximetry Online Quiz Questions

Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 2 Oxygen Saturation and Pulse Oximetry, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.

20 questions

True or false

1 point

A single universal SpO₂ target range applies equally to every person, regardless of health conditions, altitude, or a clinician-directed target.

A
True
B
False

Fill in the blank

1 point

A pulse oximeter provides an of oxygen saturation rather than an exact measurement.

Choose one

1 point

What does a standard fingertip pulse oximeter primarily estimate?

A
The amount of oxygen dissolved in arterial plasma
B
The proportion of hemoglobin carrying oxygen in pulsating peripheral blood
C
The amount of carbon dioxide in the blood
D
The total amount of oxygen delivered to body tissues

Written response

1 point

For many healthy adults at sea level, what percentage value is the lower boundary of the commonly seen SpO₂ range?

True or false

1 point

A pulse oximeter directly measures both ventilation and carbon dioxide levels.

A
True
B
False

Fill in the blank

1 point

When a pulse-oximeter result conflicts with the clinical picture, confirmation may involve an arterial blood gas and .

Choose one

1 point

A healthy adult at sea level has an SpO₂ reading of 97%. Which interpretation is best?

A
It proves that ventilation is normal.
B
It is within a commonly seen range, but should still be interpreted with the assessment.
C
It means arterial oxygen saturation is exactly 97%.
D
It rules out every cause of tissue hypoxia.

Choose one

1 point

A patient’s SpO₂ is unexpectedly low, but the patient appears comfortable and the pulse-oximeter pulse rate does not match the palpable pulse. What is the best initial response?

A
Accept the displayed value without checking the sensor.
B
Assess the person, check sensor placement and signal quality, and repeat the measurement at a suitable site.
C
Assume there is no oxygenation problem because the person looks comfortable.
D
Silence the monitor and discontinue assessment.

Choose one

1 point

A patient exposed to carbon monoxide has headache and confusion, but the pulse oximeter displays 99%. What is the most important interpretation?

A
The reading rules out carbon monoxide exposure.
B
Standard pulse oximetry may be falsely reassuring in carbon monoxide exposure.
C
The reading directly measures carboxyhemoglobin.
D
The symptoms are unrelated to oxygenation.

Open ended

1 point

A patient’s SpO₂ falls from 97% to 91% over time. The latest number is a single reading, and the patient now appears more short of breath. Why should this change be taken seriously before the cause is known, and what should happen next?

True or false

1 point

A pulse-oximeter result within 95%–100% is the appropriate target for every person, regardless of health conditions, altitude, or a clinician-directed target.

A
True
B
False

Choose one

1 point

A patient's hand is cold and the pulse-oximeter signal is unstable. Which step specifically addresses the cold skin before the reading is checked again?

A
Keep the hand cold and rely on the first displayed number.
B
Warm the hand before checking the reading again.
C
Use the reading to confirm that circulation is normal.
D
Stop assessing the patient while waiting for the number to stabilize.

Choose one

1 point

A fingertip pulse oximeter displays an SpO₂ estimate and a pulse rate. Which quantity cannot be determined directly from these outputs?

A
Estimated peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂)
B
Pulse rate
C
The proportion of hemoglobin carrying oxygen in pulsating peripheral blood
D
The total amount of oxygen carried in the blood

Choose one

1 point

A patient with a health condition has a clinician-directed oxygen-saturation target that differs from the range commonly seen in healthy adults at sea level. How should a new SpO₂ result be interpreted?

A
Assume the usual range for healthy adults at sea level applies to this patient.
B
Interpret the result in light of the patient's usual range and clinician-directed target.
C
Treat any displayed value as an exact measurement of arterial oxygen saturation.
D
Ignore the reading because individual targets can differ.

Choose one

1 point

Besides estimating peripheral oxygen saturation, what other measurement does pulse oximetry estimate?

A
Pulse rate
B
Carbon dioxide level
C
Ventilation
D
Total oxygen delivered to tissues

Written response

1 point

If oxygenation remains uncertain or a pulse-oximeter result conflicts with the clinical picture, what blood test may be used to assess oxygenation and ventilation?

Choose all

1 point

A patient keeps moving the hand with the sensor and is wearing artificial nails. Which conditions in this situation may interfere with the pulse-oximeter reading? Select all that apply.

A
The patient is moving the hand during measurement.
B
The patient is wearing artificial nails.
C
The finger is still and well perfused.
D
The patient is seated comfortably.

Choose all

1 point

Two patients have pulse-oximeter readings that need cautious interpretation. One has reduced peripheral circulation, and the other has skin pigmentation that may affect the measurement. Which of these are factors identified as potentially affecting a reading? Select all that apply.

A
The patient has reduced peripheral circulation.
B
The patient has skin pigmentation that may affect the reading.
C
The patient is sitting quietly.
D
The patient has a usual oxygen-saturation range documented.

Written response

1 point

A clinician notices that a patient has artificial nails before placing a fingertip sensor. What general category of factor should the clinician consider because it may affect the reading?

Written response

1 point

Apart from movement, circulation, and nail products, which patient characteristic is identified as potentially affecting a pulse-oximeter reading?

2 Oxygen Saturation and Pulse Oximetry Online Quiz Questions

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