Which device is used to monitor oxygen saturation in children?

• A. Stethoscope
• B. Thermometer
• C. Pulse oximeter
• D. Arterial blood gas analyzer

Answer: (C)

Measuring oxygen saturation in children is best done with a pulse oximeter because it provides continuous, noninvasive estimates of how much oxygen is bound to hemoglobin, along with the heart rate. The sensor is placed on a small site like a fingertip, toe, or earlobe, and uses light at two wavelengths to distinguish oxygenated from deoxygenated hemoglobin. This lets you track trends quickly and safely, which is especially important in pediatric care where maintaining adequate oxygenation is a priority.

A stethoscope is used to listen to breath and heart sounds; it doesn’t measure oxygen levels. A thermometer assesses body temperature, not oxygenation. An arterial blood gas analyzer can measure oxygenation, but it requires drawing blood from an artery, making it invasive and not suitable for routine continuous monitoring in children.