Pulse oximetry
Pulse oximetry is a method to test the oxygen saturation in the blood. Lungs play a crucial role in oxygen transportation to the red cells in the blood. The oxygen saturation of a healthy person is between 95% and 100%. When people develop pneumonia, they will have trouble breathing, which means the red cells cannot get enough oxygen, and there will be a low reading on the pulse oximeter. So, you will often see healthcare staff placing a pulse oximeter on patients’ fingertips to examine their oxygen levels. However, many conditions could lead to low pulse oxygen, such as heart defects, asthma, sleep apnea, and more. It shouldn’t be the only factor to judge pneumonia. [5]
