Pulse Oximeter Saves My Patient!

I have admitted a post appendectomy patient today with continous morphine Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) infusing. As endorsed by recovery room nurse that an additional dose of morphine 10 mg was given intravenously per advise by the surgeon. Vital signs monitoring was continued in patient's room. I always use continous pulse oximeter machine in patients with PCA's. After few hours, the patient was observed to have increasing lethargy and steadily decreasing oxygen saturation down to lower 90's and so, I decided to stop the infusion and immediately notified the surgeon. A significant dose of Narcan reversed the sedation status. Oxygen supplementation was maintained and the patient's oxygen saturation was stabilized. Utilizing pulse oximetry in nursing practice makes a big difference in caring for patients especially post surgeries who are under anesthesia and narcotic medications. This is one such important machine that saves lives.