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
Which intervention is most appropriate when a patient shows low cardiac output with high preload and high afterload?
Answer: Reduce afterload with a vasodilator
Afterload reduction decreases the resistance the failing ventricle must overcome, improving output.
A persistently low SvO2 (45%) most likely reflects:
Answer: Increased oxygen extraction from inadequate delivery
Low SvO2 indicates tissues are extracting more oxygen because delivery is inadequate.
Which condition classically produces equalization of diastolic pressures across all cardiac chambers?
Answer: Cardiac tamponade
External compression in tamponade equalizes diastolic pressures throughout the heart.
If the PA catheter balloon cannot be deflated and the tracing shows a permanent wedge, the nurse should:
Answer: Notify the provider immediately to prevent pulmonary infarction
A continuously wedged catheter can cause pulmonary artery rupture or infarction and requires urgent action.
The thermodilution method for measuring cardiac output can be falsely elevated by:
Answer: Injectate volume less than required
Too little injectate produces a smaller temperature change, falsely indicating higher output.
A widened pulse pressure with bounding pulses and low diastolic pressure is most consistent with:
Answer: Early/warm septic shock
Vasodilation in warm septic shock lowers diastolic pressure and widens pulse pressure.
Which value best reflects left ventricular preload?
Answer: Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
PCWP estimates left atrial and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, reflecting LV preload.