critical care medicine
Monitoring and Testing the Critical Care Patient
Introduction
Some monitoring of critical care patients depends on direct observation and physical examination and is intermittent, with the frequency depending on the patient’s illness. Other monitoring is ongoing and continuous, provided by complex devices that require special training and experience to operate. Most such devices generate an alarm if certain physiologic parameters are exceeded. Every intensive care unit (ICU) should strictly follow protocols for investigating alarms. Monitoring usually includes measurement of vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration rate), quantification of all fluid intake and output, and often intracranial pressure and/or daily weight. Blood pressure may be recorded by an automated sphygmomanometer, or an arterial catheter can be used for continuous blood pressure monitoring. A transcutaneous sensor for pulse oximetry is used as well. 