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Hemodynamic Monitoring & Assessment Flashcards

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  1. Which hemodynamic parameter is calculated as the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure?

    Answer: Pulse pressure

    Pulse pressure is the arithmetic difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure and reflects arterial stiffness and stroke volume.

  2. A normal cardiac output in a resting adult is approximately:

    Answer: 4–8 L/min

    Normal resting cardiac output ranges from 4 to 8 L/min, representing the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute.

  3. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) is used to estimate pressure in which cardiac chamber?

    Answer: Left atrium

    PCWP approximates left atrial pressure because the inflated balloon occludes forward flow, reflecting the static column of blood back to the left atrium.

  4. Which Swan-Ganz catheter waveform finding indicates proper placement in the pulmonary artery?

    Answer: Dicrotic notch and diastolic pressure higher than RV diastolic

    The pulmonary artery waveform shows a dicrotic notch from pulmonic valve closure and a diastolic pressure higher than right ventricular diastolic pressure.

  5. In a patient with cardiogenic shock, which hemodynamic profile is most characteristic?

    Answer: High PCWP, low CO, high SVR

    Cardiogenic shock is characterized by elevated filling pressures (high PCWP), reduced cardiac output, and compensatory high systemic vascular resistance.

  6. Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) is calculated using which formula?

    Answer: (MAP – CVP) / CO × 80

    SVR = (MAP – CVP) / CO × 80 (dynes·sec·cm⁻⁵), using the pressure gradient across the systemic circulation divided by flow.

  7. A central venous pressure (CVP) of 18 mmHg suggests:

    Answer: Right heart failure or fluid overload

    An elevated CVP (normal 2–8 mmHg) indicates increased right atrial pressure, consistent with right heart failure, volume overload, or cardiac tamponade.