The apnea monitor senses by measuring changes in the electrical impedance of the thoracic cavity during respiration.
Typically,
electrodes are attached to the patient with lead wires connected to the monitor.
The monitor will usually display the patient’s heart rate and respiration rate,
with the limits of these parameters adjustable by the user.
An audible alarm will sound when the alarm limits are exceeded or if the monitor or when an apnea condition is detected.
These types of monitors are typically used to monitor high-risk infants (Fig. 5).