Results available when Immediately. It's noninvasive, quick, and simple. It has limited diagnostic value because it evaluates only oxygen saturation. Factors affecting results Poor circulation in the fingers, toes, or earlobe. Bright external light.
Smoking can affect blood oxygenation.
The next step Measurement of oxygen saturation will help your doctor evaluate the severity of your disease, and will determine if you need supplemental oxygen. Adapted from The Patient's Guide to Medical Tests by Faculty Members at The Yale University School of Medicine. Copyright 1997 by Yale University School of Medicine and G.S. Sharpe Communications, Inc. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. No part of this database may be reproduced or otherwise used without prior written permission from the publisher unless such use is expressly permitted by applicable law.