CSC Hemodynamic Monitoring & Assessment 3

Question 1

The thermodilution method of measuring cardiac output involves injecting cold saline into which port of the pulmonary artery catheter?

Accepted Answer

Proximal (RA) port

Answer

Cold saline is injected into the proximal (right atrial) port, and the temperature change is detected by the thermistor at the catheter tip to calculate cardiac output via the Stewart-Hamilton equation.

Question 2

Which hemodynamic parameter primarily reflects left ventricular preload?

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP)

Answer

PCWP approximates left atrial pressure and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, making it the best invasive surrogate for left ventricular preload.

Question 3

Pulse pressure variation (PPV) >13% during mechanical ventilation suggests:

Accepted Answer

Fluid responsiveness

Answer

PPV >13% in mechanically ventilated patients with sinus rhythm indicates significant preload dependence and predicts that the patient will respond to fluid administration with increased cardiac output.

Question 4

In a patient with acute right ventricular infarction, the expected hemodynamic profile includes:

Accepted Answer

Low PCWP, low CO, high CVP

Answer

RV infarction causes high CVP (RV failure/backup) with low PCWP (underfilling of LV) and reduced CO, distinguishing it from left-sided failure.

Question 5

Which hemodynamic value is used to calculate pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR)?

Accepted Answer

(mPAP – PCWP) / CO

Answer

PVR = (mean PAP – PCWP) / CO × 80, reflecting the resistance across the pulmonary vascular bed from pulmonary artery to left atrium.

CSC - Cardiac Subspecialty Certification Exam Practice Test

CSC - Cardiac Subspecialty Certification Exam Practice Test

CSC Hemodynamic Monitoring & Assessment 3