Which type of device is used to continuously monitor a patient's heart rate?

A telemetry system is specifically designed to continuously monitor a patient's heart rate and other vital signs from a distance. These systems typically consist of electrodes placed on the patient's skin that transmit data wirelessly to a central monitoring station. This allows healthcare providers to observe heart activity in real time, which is crucial for the timely diagnosis and management of cardiac conditions.

In contrast, an infusion pump is primarily used for delivering controlled amounts of medication or fluids to a patient, rather than monitoring vital signs. A sphygmomanometer is an instrument used to measure blood pressure, and while it can provide information about cardiovascular health, it does not continuously monitor heart rate. A pulse oximeter measures the oxygen saturation level in the blood and can sometimes provide a heart rate reading, but it is not designed for continuous heart rate monitoring like a telemetry system. Thus, the telemetry system stands out as the most suitable choice for continuous heart rate monitoring.