This procedure is contraindicated for:

• Patients who smoke or have suffered carbon monoxide inhalation, because O₂ levels may be falsely elevated.

Factors Result Incorrect Values:

• Patients with anemic conditions reflecting a reduction in hemoglobin, the O₂-carrying component in the blood.
• Excessive light surrounding the patient, such as from surgical lights.
• Impaired cardiopulmonary function.
• Lipid emulsion therapy and presence of certain dyes.
• Movement of the finger or ear or improper placement of probe or clip.
• Nail polish, artificial fingernails, and skin pigmentation when a finger probe is used.
• Vasoconstriction from cool skin temperature, drugs, hypotension, or vessel obstruction causing a decrease in blood flow.

Other Considerations:

• Accuracy for most units is plus or minus 4% with a standard deviation of 1%.