What should be done to maintain accurate readings when a patient's peripheral pulse oximeter is low?

Maintaining accurate readings on a peripheral pulse oximeter is essential for assessing a patient's oxygen saturation levels. When a low reading is observed, one common issue could be poor circulation, which can happen if the patient's extremities are cold. Warming the patient's hands can improve blood flow to the fingers, allowing for a clearer signal to the pulse oximeter. This enhancement in circulation helps the device accurately measure the oxygen saturation in the blood.

The other options would not directly address the likely cause of a low reading due to poor circulation. Switching to a larger pulse oximeter may not have any bearing on accuracy if circulation remains an issue. Replacing the pulse oximeter sensor could be unnecessary if the problem is simply related to blood flow. Using a blood pressure cuff instead of a pulse oximeter would not provide the necessary oxygen saturation data, as these two devices measure different parameters. Thus, warming the patient's hands is the most relevant action to take in this scenario to improve the accuracy of the readings.