A nurse is preparing to measure a client’s level of oxygen saturation on a patient who has had a bilateral lower leg amputation. He noticed the patient’s hands are very edematous.

The nurse should apply the pulse oximeter probe to which of the following locations?

A. The client:

The client is the most reliable source of information about their own health. Direct communication with the client allows the nurse to gather details about their symptoms, medical history, current health status, and any other relevant information. This is crucial for accurate assessment and care planning.

B. Progress note:

Progress notes are documentation by healthcare providers that summarize the client's clinical status, interventions, and responses to care. While progress notes can provide valuable information, they are not always as up-to-date as direct communication with the client.

C. Medical history:

The medical history contains information about the client's past health conditions, treatments, and surgeries. While important, medical history may not capture the most recent or current information, especially if there have been recent changes in the client's health.

D. Family information:

Family information can provide additional context, support, and insights into the client's health. However, it may not always be as accurate or comprehensive as the information obtained directly from the client. Family members may not be aware of recent changes or may have different perspectives on the client's health.

A. Wait 30 min and return to measure the oral temperature:

Waiting 30 minutes may not be necessary. It's more practical to take immediate steps to address potential factors affecting the reading.

B. Provide the client a sip of warm water, wait 5 min, and measure the temperature:

This can be a reasonable and practical approach to stimulate blood flow in the oral cavity and achieve a more accurate oral temperature reading.

C. Document that the nurse was unable to measure the client’s temperature:

Before documenting an inability to measure the temperature, the nurse should attempt appropriate interventions, such as warming the oral cavity or using an alternate route

D. Determine if the client has eaten or drank within the last 15 minutes:

Eating or drinking something cold shortly before taking an oral temperature can result in a lower reading. Checking for recent intake is important to ensure the accuracy of the measurement.

E. Use an alternate route (i.e., axillary, rectal) to take the client’s temperature:

If the oral temperature reading remains difficult to obtain or is not reliable, using an alternate route may be necessary. However, this depends on the client's condition, the reason for the temperature measurement, and the healthcare facility's protocols.