Certified Respiratory Therapist Practice Exam

The pulse oximeter is the primary device used to monitor oxygen saturation levels in the blood. It works by using light wavelengths to estimate the percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen. This non-invasive tool can quickly provide real-time readings, allowing healthcare professionals to assess a patient’s respiratory status efficiently.

In contrast, the peak flow meter is designed to measure the maximum speed of expiration, which is essential for monitoring conditions like asthma but does not directly assess oxygen saturation. A capnometer measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in exhaled air, helping to evaluate a patient's ventilation status rather than oxygen saturation. Lastly, a ventilator is a mechanical device used to assist or replace spontaneous breathing in patients who cannot breathe adequately on their own, but it does not specifically measure oxygen saturation levels. Thus, the pulse oximeter stands out as the dedicated device for assessing oxygen saturation.