Which of the following is an example of a non-invasive monitoring device?

Which of the following is an example of a non-invasive monitoring device?

• A. Electromyography (EMG)
• B. Cardiac catheter
• C. Pulse oximeter
• D. Invasive blood pressure monitor

Answer: (C)

A pulse oximeter serves as an exemplary non-invasive monitoring device because it measures the oxygen saturation level in a patient's blood without the need to enter the body or penetrate the skin. It works by emitting light wavelengths that pass through a thin part of the patient's body, typically a fingertip or earlobe, and then detects the amount of light that is absorbed by oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin. This non-invasive method allows for continuous and convenient monitoring of a patient's respiratory status, making it a valuable tool in various healthcare settings. In contrast, the other options involve invasive procedures or techniques that penetrate the body's tissues, making them unsuitable examples of non-invasive devices. For instance, cardiac catheters and invasive blood pressure monitors require insertion into the body to obtain measurements, while electromyography measures electrical activity in muscles and typically involves the placement of electrodes on the skin that can sometimes be considered invasive, especially if needles are used.

A pulse oximeter serves as an exemplary non-invasive monitoring device because it measures the oxygen saturation level in a patient's blood without the need to enter the body or penetrate the skin. It works by emitting light wavelengths that pass through a thin part of the patient's body, typically a fingertip or earlobe, and then detects the amount of light that is absorbed by oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin. This non-invasive method allows for continuous and convenient monitoring of a patient's respiratory status, making it a valuable tool in various healthcare settings.

In contrast, the other options involve invasive procedures or techniques that penetrate the body's tissues, making them unsuitable examples of non-invasive devices. For instance, cardiac catheters and invasive blood pressure monitors require insertion into the body to obtain measurements, while electromyography measures electrical activity in muscles and typically involves the placement of electrodes on the skin that can sometimes be considered invasive, especially if needles are used.