THE LIFE-SAVING TECHNOLOGY AROUND A PATIENT’S BED

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2. VITAL SIGNS MONITOR Displays oxygen saturation levels, cardiac activity and blood pressure via a tube linked to an artery.

3. ANAESTHETIC DRIP Needs to be given continuously and rate is altered by nurses if patient is uncomfortable or not sedated enough.

4. NASO-GASTRIC FEED PUMP Feeds patient via a tube through the nose, past the throat and down into the stomach.

5. INTRAVENOUS FLUIDS AND DRIPS Gives medication such as adrenaline, noradrenaline, insulin, magnesium and phosphate. Also drugs that raise blood pressure.

6. HEART MONITOR Shows how effectively the heart is pumping when a patient is seriously ill and is struggling to keep their blood pressure up. On the other side of the bed, not photographed, would be a ventilator. Nurses watch this for signs of blockage or tube problems, high pressures, the amount of air entering the lungs and how they are stretching and expanding.