Critical Care Nursing Cardiac Questions Related

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When assisting with the placement of a pulmonary artery (PA) catheter, the nurse notes that the catheter is correctly placed when the monitor shows a:

  • A. Typical PA pressure waveform.
  • B. Tracing of the systemic arterial pressure.
  • C. Tracing of the systemic vascular resistance.
  • D. Typical PA wedge pressure (PAWP) tracing.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for Answer D being correct:
1. PA catheter measures PA pressures.
2. PAWP reflects left atrial pressure.
3. Correct placement shows typical PAWP tracing.
4. PA pressure waveform (A) is not specific to PAWP.
5. Systemic arterial pressure tracing (B) is unrelated.
6. Systemic vascular resistance tracing (C) is not monitored by PA catheter.