a modular patient monitor has a docking station configured to accept a handheld monitor . the docking station has standalone patient monitoring functionality with respect to a first set of parameters . at least some of the first parameter set are displayed simultaneously on a full - sized screen integrated with the docking station . the handheld monitor also has standalone patient monitoring functionality with respect to a second set of parameters . at least some of the second set of parameters are displayed simultaneously on a handheld - sized screen integrated with the handheld monitor . the docking station has a port configured to accept the handheld monitor . while the handheld monitor is docket in the port , the docking station functionally combines the first set of parameters and the second set of parameters , and at least some of the combined first and second sets of parameters are displayed simultaneously on the full - sized screen .