03_02_02 Basic monitoring

Basic monitoring
Session Overview
Description
This session describes the basic physics, indications and problems associated with the monitoring commonly encountered in critical care areas.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the indications, physics and practical applications of cardiovascular and respiratory monitoring in critical care
• Outline the use of more specialized monitoring in critical care

Modern monitoring has enhanced our understanding of acute illness and may help guide therapeutic intervention.

It is important to recognize the importance of monitoring in assisting with assessment and decision making. However, it is also important to be aware that it should not replace the traditional history taking and examination and that the insertion and use of invasive monitoring comes with its own inherent risks.

The three principal areas of monitoring in critical care are shown in Table 1.

For all monitoring, it is important to remember that trends are more useful and significant than absolute values.