What should a nurse do first if a postoperative client has a pulse oximeter reading of 89%?

When addressing a postoperative client with a pulse oximeter reading of 89%, the most appropriate initial action is to repeat the test on another finger. This is important because pulse oximeters can sometimes yield inaccurate readings due to several factors, such as poor perfusion, client movement, or sensor placement. By verifying the reading on a different digit, the nurse can determine if the initial reading was a false low due to these issues or indicative of a true problem concerning the client’s oxygen saturation.

After confirming that the reading is consistent, the nurse can then take appropriate action, such as administering supplemental oxygen if necessary or addressing other interventions based on the clinical assessment. While options like administering oxygen or calling a physician may be warranted depending on the confirmed reading, ensuring accuracy through retesting is a critical first step in patient assessment and management. Positioning the client also may be helpful after confirming a consistent low reading, but it is not the primary action without verifying the pulse oximeter results first.