What is the main purpose of a pulse oximeter during surgery?

The primary purpose of a pulse oximeter during surgery is to measure oxygen saturation in the blood. This non-invasive device provides real-time information about the patient's oxygen levels, which is crucial for ensuring that the patient is receiving adequate oxygenation throughout the surgical procedure.

Monitoring oxygen saturation is vital because low oxygen levels can lead to hypoxia, which may compromise organ function and overall patient safety. In the surgical setting, where patients may be under anesthesia and their respiratory function can be altered, maintaining adequate oxygen saturation is essential for preventing complications.

While blood pressure, heart rhythm, and ventilation status are important parameters to monitor during surgery, those functions are typically assessed using other devices such as blood pressure cuffs, electrocardiograms (ECG), and capnometers or spirometers, respectively. Hence, the pulse oximeter's main focus remains on providing critical data regarding the patient's oxygen saturation levels, making it an indispensable tool in intraoperative monitoring.