Hemodynamic Monitoring Flashcards
7 cards from real CCRN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Hemodynamic Monitoring flashcards as text
A patient's pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) is 4 mmHg with a CVP of 2 mmHg and tachycardia. What does this most likely indicate?
Answer: Hypovolemia
Low PCWP and low CVP with compensatory tachycardia indicate reduced preload from hypovolemia.
Which waveform component on a central venous pressure (CVP) tracing corresponds to atrial contraction?
Answer: a wave
The a wave reflects atrial contraction at end-diastole.
To obtain accurate hemodynamic readings, where should the air-fluid interface (transducer) be leveled?
Answer: Phlebostatic axis
The phlebostatic axis, at the 4th intercostal space midaxillary line, approximates the level of the atria.
A large v wave on the PCWP tracing is most characteristic of which condition?
Answer: Acute mitral regurgitation
Regurgitant flow into the left atrium during systole produces a prominent v wave.
Normal mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) measured from the distal port of a PA catheter is approximately:
Answer: 60-80%
Normal SvO2 is 60-80%, reflecting balance between oxygen delivery and consumption.
When should the pulmonary artery occlusion (wedge) pressure be read during the respiratory cycle?
Answer: End-expiration
End-expiration minimizes intrathoracic pressure influence on the reading.
A patient develops a sudden dampened arterial line waveform with a falsely low blood pressure. The FIRST action is to:
Answer: Check for kinks, air, or clot and verify the system
Troubleshoot the system for mechanical causes before treating a presumed clinical change.