Which situation can lead to inaccurate pulse oximeter readings?

Inaccurate pulse oximeter readings can indeed be influenced by low blood pressure, but the primary reason for this is the potential for decreased perfusion. When blood pressure is low, it can affect the volume of blood reaching peripheral sites where a pulse oximeter typically measures oxygen saturation. This can result in poor signal quality or insufficient blood flow, leading to erroneous readings as the device relies on detecting pulsatile blood flow.

Additionally, pulse oximeters use light absorption characteristics of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin to estimate oxygen saturation. If there is inadequate blood flow due to low blood pressure, the device may not be able to obtain accurate readings effectively.

Understanding this context emphasizes the importance of considering physiological factors, such as blood pressure, that may not be immediately obvious but can greatly impact the reliability of pulse oximeter measurements.