Which device would likely be used to monitor a patient's oxygen saturation in home health care?

In home health care, monitoring a patient's oxygen saturation is crucial for assessing respiratory status and ensuring adequate oxygen delivery to tissues. The most appropriate device for this task is the pulse oximeter. This non-invasive tool estimates the saturation of oxygen carried in the blood by shining light through a translucent part of the body, typically a fingertip or earlobe, and measuring the light absorption by oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin.

The pulse oximeter provides immediate feedback on oxygen levels, allowing caregivers to make timely decisions regarding a patient’s respiratory health. Its ease of use and quick results make it an essential device in a home health care setting for patients who may have chronic respiratory conditions or are at risk for hypoxemia. Other devices mentioned, like the electrocardiogram, infusion pump, and glucose meter, serve different purposes related to cardiac monitoring, medication delivery, and blood glucose monitoring, respectively, rather than oxygen saturation.