Critical Care Homeworks QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 2022
An increase in SVR can indicate all of the following, except Correct Answer: septic shock
A decrease in the patient's CVP can indicate all of the following, except Correct Answer: right-
sided heart failure
(Indicates: vasodilation
hypovolemia
decrease in venous return)
Your fast flush test indicates under-dampening of the system present. Which of the following
may be the cause? Correct Answer: Air in the system
Low-pressure bag pressure
Altitude change
A common cause of elevated PA pressures is Correct Answer: mitral valve stenosis
mitral valve regurgitation
left ventricular failure
Normal range for right atrial pressure is Correct Answer: 2-6 mmHg
A decrease in the patient's SVR can indicate all of the following,except Correct Answer:
hypovolemic shock
(Indicates: septic shock
neurogenic shock
anaphylactic shock)
The "a" wave seen on an atrial waveform indicates Correct Answer: rise in atrial pressure as a
result of atrial contraction
The period following diastole when all the four heart valves are closed is called Correct Answer:
isovolumetric contraction
The formula used to calculate mean arterial pressure is: Correct Answer: [(DBP x 2) + SBP]
divided by 3
The downslope on the "v" wave represents atrial emptying, which is called Correct Answer: Y
descent
Central venous pressure is a reflection of Correct Answer: right atrial pressure
Pulmonary artery pressure reflects Correct Answer: right- and left-sided heart pressures
, PAWP into PA waveform Correct Answer: looks like vfib then at the end looks like PA
waveform
Arterial lines have which of the following pressure characteristics as compared to pulmonary
artery pressures? Correct Answer: much higher pressures
Stroke volume is Correct Answer: the amount of blood ejected with each heartbeat from the
ventricles during systole
The "v" waves, when assessing a right atrial pressure aveform, coincides with which area of the
ECG cycle? Correct Answer: immediately after the peak of the T wave
Normal value for monitoring PA pressures are Correct Answer: 15-25/8-15 mmHg
The pulmonary artery wedge pressure evaluates Correct Answer: left side of the heart
Hemodynamic pressures should be assessed and recorded at the Correct Answer: end of
exhalation
The "a" wave, when assessing a right atrial pressure waveform, coincides with which area of the
ECG cycle? Correct Answer: in the PR interval
When attempting to "wedge" a PA catheter, you should always Correct Answer: NONE OF
THESE:
fill the balloon with exactly 1.5 mL, no more
fill the balloon with exactly 2.5 mL, no more
fill the balloon with exactly 0.5 mL, no more
(you should fill until wedge tracing is seen but NO MORE than 1.5 mL)
Your patient presents with following parameters: CVP 0, CI 1, PA S/D 8/4, wedge 3, and SVR
1,800. What is your diagnosis? Correct Answer: hypovolemic shock
Atrial waveforms are described as "filling pressures" and include which of the following?
Correct Answer: right atrial and left atrial pressures
The patient's PA catheter is exhibiting a large, well defined hemodynamic waveform with an
obvious "notch" on the left side of the waveform. The distal tip is most likely located in the
Correct Answer: Right Ventricle
Your patient presents with the following: CVP 2, CI 6.4, PA S/D 34/16, wedge 7, and SVR 400.
What is your diagnosis? Correct Answer: Septic Shock
Normal range for cardiac output is Correct Answer: 4-8 L/min
Your patient's PA waveform has suddenly changed to resemble a low-amplitude rolling
waveform. This is most likely Correct Answer: inadvertent advance to wedge
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 2022
An increase in SVR can indicate all of the following, except Correct Answer: septic shock
A decrease in the patient's CVP can indicate all of the following, except Correct Answer: right-
sided heart failure
(Indicates: vasodilation
hypovolemia
decrease in venous return)
Your fast flush test indicates under-dampening of the system present. Which of the following
may be the cause? Correct Answer: Air in the system
Low-pressure bag pressure
Altitude change
A common cause of elevated PA pressures is Correct Answer: mitral valve stenosis
mitral valve regurgitation
left ventricular failure
Normal range for right atrial pressure is Correct Answer: 2-6 mmHg
A decrease in the patient's SVR can indicate all of the following,except Correct Answer:
hypovolemic shock
(Indicates: septic shock
neurogenic shock
anaphylactic shock)
The "a" wave seen on an atrial waveform indicates Correct Answer: rise in atrial pressure as a
result of atrial contraction
The period following diastole when all the four heart valves are closed is called Correct Answer:
isovolumetric contraction
The formula used to calculate mean arterial pressure is: Correct Answer: [(DBP x 2) + SBP]
divided by 3
The downslope on the "v" wave represents atrial emptying, which is called Correct Answer: Y
descent
Central venous pressure is a reflection of Correct Answer: right atrial pressure
Pulmonary artery pressure reflects Correct Answer: right- and left-sided heart pressures
, PAWP into PA waveform Correct Answer: looks like vfib then at the end looks like PA
waveform
Arterial lines have which of the following pressure characteristics as compared to pulmonary
artery pressures? Correct Answer: much higher pressures
Stroke volume is Correct Answer: the amount of blood ejected with each heartbeat from the
ventricles during systole
The "v" waves, when assessing a right atrial pressure aveform, coincides with which area of the
ECG cycle? Correct Answer: immediately after the peak of the T wave
Normal value for monitoring PA pressures are Correct Answer: 15-25/8-15 mmHg
The pulmonary artery wedge pressure evaluates Correct Answer: left side of the heart
Hemodynamic pressures should be assessed and recorded at the Correct Answer: end of
exhalation
The "a" wave, when assessing a right atrial pressure waveform, coincides with which area of the
ECG cycle? Correct Answer: in the PR interval
When attempting to "wedge" a PA catheter, you should always Correct Answer: NONE OF
THESE:
fill the balloon with exactly 1.5 mL, no more
fill the balloon with exactly 2.5 mL, no more
fill the balloon with exactly 0.5 mL, no more
(you should fill until wedge tracing is seen but NO MORE than 1.5 mL)
Your patient presents with following parameters: CVP 0, CI 1, PA S/D 8/4, wedge 3, and SVR
1,800. What is your diagnosis? Correct Answer: hypovolemic shock
Atrial waveforms are described as "filling pressures" and include which of the following?
Correct Answer: right atrial and left atrial pressures
The patient's PA catheter is exhibiting a large, well defined hemodynamic waveform with an
obvious "notch" on the left side of the waveform. The distal tip is most likely located in the
Correct Answer: Right Ventricle
Your patient presents with the following: CVP 2, CI 6.4, PA S/D 34/16, wedge 7, and SVR 400.
What is your diagnosis? Correct Answer: Septic Shock
Normal range for cardiac output is Correct Answer: 4-8 L/min
Your patient's PA waveform has suddenly changed to resemble a low-amplitude rolling
waveform. This is most likely Correct Answer: inadvertent advance to wedge
