What is the best placement for a pulse oximeter sensor when the patient has nail polish?

The best placement for a pulse oximeter sensor when a patient has nail polish is on the side of the finger. When a sensor is placed on the side instead of directly over the nail, it can circumvent the potential interference caused by the nail polish, which can affect accurate readings. This positioning allows the infrared light from the sensor to penetrate the tissue more effectively, ensuring that it can still detect oxygen saturation levels accurately.

Placing the sensor on other locations, such as the palm or abdomen, could disrupt the continuity of the measurement or be uncomfortable for the patient. While using the palm without an IV cannula may offer a site free from nail polish, it may not provide an optimal reading due to the different types of tissue and blood flow compared to the finger. Furthermore, positioning the sensor perpendicular to the nail bed may still expose it to the nail polish, thereby compromising the accuracy of the readings. Therefore, placing the sensor on the side of the finger is the most effective method under these circumstances.