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During ACLS, continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation is crucial because it provides real-time data on a patient's oxygenation status. Maintaining adequate oxygenation is essential in any resuscitation scenario, particularly in cases of cardiac arrest, where the body may not be receiving sufficient oxygen due to compromised circulation.

Oxygen saturation continuously informs the healthcare provider about the effectiveness of ventilation and circulation, particularly since hypoxia is a reversible cause of cardiac arrest. By utilizing pulse oximetry to continuously monitor oxygen levels, healthcare providers can ensure that the patient receives appropriate supplemental oxygen if needed, enabling more effective interventions.

While blood pressure, heart rate, and capillary refill time are all important vital signs to assess during ACLS, they do not provide the same immediate insight into the patient's oxygenation status that continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation does. Blood pressure and heart rate can be affected by various factors and may not accurately reflect the adequacy of oxygen delivery to tissues during critical moments. Capillary refill time is also less reliable, especially in adult patients who may not exhibit significant changes under stress, thus making oxygen saturation the priority for continuous monitoring in the ACLS algorithm.