How to Read a Patient Monitor

Heart Rate/HR: The heart rate is measured in beats per minute, or BPM. HR is typically displayed in green located in the top, right corner of the screen. A normal, healthy heart rate is 60 to 100 BPM. 

Respiration Rate: Respiration rate shows breaths per minute and is displayed as RESP or RR. A resting, healthy adult breathes 12 to 16 times per minute.

Temperature: Temperature is displayed as TEMP on a monitor. Normal body temperature can range from 98°F to 99°F. Most hospital monitors can display in either Fahrenheit or Celsius.

Oxygen Saturation: Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) measures the amount of oxygen in a patient’s blood, usually on a scale from 0 to 100. Normal oxygen saturation is 95% or higher. Measurements below 94% can mean a patient isn’t getting enough oxygen.

Carbon Dioxide: CO2 measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in a patient’s exhaled breath. Normal EtCO2 readings range from 35 – 45 mmHg.

Invasive Blood Pressure: IBP reports in mmHg. In this case, Arterial Blood Pressure (ART) and Central Venous Blood Pressure (CVP) is showing. 

Non-Invasive Blood Pressure: NIBP helps determine the systolic blood pressure (SYS) and diastolic blood pressure (DIA). The average BP reading is 120/80 mmHg.

ECG Strip: The intent of the ECG Strip is NOT for an in-depth ECG analysis. Typically, the ECG strip only represents one lead (commonly lead II).

Respiratory Waveform: The Respiratory (RESP) waveform can be helpful for clinicians monitoring any respiratory issues like apnea or dyspnea.

SpO2 Waveform: The SpO2 Waveform can help in determining if there are any issues with circulation or peripheral perfusion. In addition, every peak on the SpO2 waveform should correlate with the heartbeat on the ECG Waveform at close intervals. Further, because oxygenated blood is pumping out of the heart with every single heartbeat.

CO2 Waveform: The CO2 Waveform helps with visualizing how much CO2 a patient is exhaling. Further, normal CO2 Waveforms are generally the shape of a round rectangle.

IBP (1,2) Waveform: The IBP Waveform helps visualize the invasive blood pressure. Some patient monitors will show multiple waveforms. For example, ART (Arterial Blood Pressure) and CVP (Central Venous Blood Pressure) is on display.