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To anaesthetists, monitoring usually means the continuous measurement of patient variables over time. A monitor is a measuring device that is capable of delivering a warning when the variable being measured falls outside preset limits.

Illustrated here are examples of the most common monitoring equipment used in the operating theatre today.

Fig 1 A portable oximeter and capnograph

Fig 2 A typical monitor screen during anaesthesia

Fig 3 A ventilator alarm

Fig 4 A non-invasive blood pressure monitor

Fig 5 An oxygen and vapour analyzer screen