Hemodynamics Practice/ 35 Questions Pre-
test_Answers Elaborated deeply/Spring 2023.
The nurse is caring for a 100-kg patient being monitored with a pulmonary artery
catheter. The nurse assesses a blood pressure of 90/60 mm Hg, heart rate 110
beats/min, respirations 36/min, oxygen saturation of 89% on 3 L of oxygen via nasal
cannula. Bilateral crackles are audible upon auscultation. Which hemodynamic value
requires immediate action by the nurse?
a. Cardiac index (CI) of 1.2 L/min/m3
b.Cardiac output (CO) of 4 L/min
c.Pulmonary vascular resistance
(PVR) of 80 dynes/sec/cm-
d.Systemic vascular resistance (SV) of 1800 dynes/sec/cm-5 - -A. Cardiac index (CI) of
1.2 L/min/m3
A cardiac index of 1.2 L/min/m3 combined with the identified clinical assessment
findings indicate a low cardiac output with fluid overload (bilateral crackles) requiring
intervention. The remaining hemodynamic values are within normal limits: cardiac
output of 4 L/min; pulmonary vascular resistance of 80 dynes/sec/cm-5; and the
systemic vascular resistance of 1800 dynes/sec/cm-5.
-2. While caring for a patient with a small bowel obstruction, the nurse assesses a
pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) of 1 mm Hg and hourly urine output of 5
mL. The nurse anticipates which therapeutic intervention?
a.Diuretics
b.Intravenous fluids
c.Negative inotropic agents
d.Vasopressors - -b. Intravenous fluids
Low pulmonary artery occlusion pressures usually indicate volume depletion, so
intravenous fluids would be indicated. Administration of diuretics would worsen the
patient's volume status. Negative inotropes would not improve the patient's volume
status. Vasopressors will increase blood pressure but are contraindicated in a low
volume state.
-3. The nursing is caring for a patient who has had an arterial line inserted. To reduce
the risk of complications, what is the priority nursing intervention?
a.Apply a pressure dressing to the insertion site.
b.Ensure all tubing connections are tightened.
c.Obtain a portable x-ray to confirm placement.
d.Restrain the affected extremity for 24 hours. - -b. Ensure all tubing connections are
tightened.
,Loose connections in hemodynamic monitoring tubing can lead to hemorrhage, a major
complication of arterial pressure monitoring. Application of a pressure dressing is
required only upon arterial line removal. Blood return is adequate confirmation of
arterial line placement; x-ray studies are not performed to confirm arterial line
placement. Neutral positioning of the extremity and use of an arm board, without limb
restraint, is the standard of care.
-While caring for a patient with a pulmonary artery catheter, the nurse notes the
pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) to be significantly higher than previously
recorded values. The nurse assesses respirations to be unlabored at 16 breaths/min,
oxygen saturation of 98% on 3 L of oxygen via nasal cannula, and lungs clear to
auscultation bilaterally. What is the priority nursing action?
a. Increase supplemental oxygen and notify respiratory therapy.
b. Notify the physician immediately of the assessment findings.
c. Obtain a stat chest x-ray film to verify proper catheter placement.
d. Zero reference and level the catheter at the phlebostatic axis. - -d. Zero reference and
level the catheter at the phlebostatic axis.
A hemodynamic value not supported by clinical assessment should be treated as
questionable. To ensure the accuracy of hemodynamic readings, the catheter transducer
system must be leveled at the phlebostatic axis and zero referenced. In this example, the
catheter transducer system may be lower than the phlebostatic axis, resulting in
erroneously higher pressures. Clinical manifestations do not support increasing
supplemental oxygen. Clinical manifestations do not warrant physician intervention;
aberrant values should be investigated further. An aberrant value warrants further
investigation, which includes zero referencing and checking the level as an initial
measure. A chest x-ray study is not warranted at this time.
-5. A patient is admitted to the hospital with multiple trauma and extensive blood loss.
The nurse assesses vital signs to be BP 80/50 mm Hg, heart rate 135 beats/min,
respirations 36 breaths/min, cardiac output (CO) of 2 L/min, systemic vascular
resistance of 3000 dynes/sec/cm-5, and a hematocrit of 20%. The nurse anticipates
administration of which the following therapies or medications?
a. Blood transfusion
b. Furosemide (Lasix)
c. Dobutamine (Dobutrex) infusion
d. Dopamine hydrochloride (Dopamine) infusion - -a. Blood transfusion
Both hemodynamic parameters and the reported hematocrit value indicate hypovolemia
and blood loss requiring volume resuscitation with blood products. Furosemide
administration will worsen fluid volume status. Inotropic agents will not correct the
underlying fluid volume deficit and anemia. Vasoconstrictors are contraindicated in a
volume-depleted state.
, -6. After pulmonary artery catheter insertion, the nurse assesses a pulmonary artery
pressure of 45/25 mm Hg, a pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) of 20 mm Hg,
a cardiac output of 2.6 L/min and a cardiac index of 1.9 L/min/m2. Which physician
order is of the highest priority?
a. Apply 50% oxygen via venture mask.
b. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
c. Begin a dobutamine (Dobutrex) infusion.
d. Obtain stat cardiac enzymes and troponin. - -c. Begin a dobutamine (Dobutrex)
infusion.
The pulmonary pressures are higher than normal, indicating elevated preload, and the
cardiac index and output values are low. The priority order for the nurse to implement is
to begin a dobutamine (Dobutrex) infusion to improve cardiac output, possibly reducing
pulmonary artery occlusion pressures. The other treatments are important, but the
dobutamine infusion is the most important at this time.
-7. The nurse is caring for a patient with a left subclavian central venous catheter (CVC)
and a left radial arterial line. Which assessment finding by the nurse requires immediate
action?
a. A dampened arterial line waveform
b. Numbness and tingling in the left hand
c. Slight bloody drainage at subclavian insertion site
d. Slight redness at subclavian insertion site - -b. Numbness and tingling in the left hand
Numbness and tingling in the left hand, which is the location of an arterial catheter,
indicates possible neurovascular compromise and requires immediate action. A
dampened waveform can indicate problems with arterial line patency but is not an
emergent situation. Slight bloody drainage at the subclavian insertion site is not an
unusual finding. Slight redness at the insertion site, while of concern, does not require
immediate action.
-8. The physician writes an order to discontinue a patient's left radial arterial line.
When discontinuing the patient's invasive line, what is the priority nursing action?
a. Apply an air occlusion dressing to insertion site.
b. Apply pressure to the insertion site for 5 minutes.
c. Elevate the affected limb on pillows for 24 hours.
d. Keep the patient's wrist in a neutral position. - -b. Apply pressure to the insertion site
for 5 minutes.
Upon removal of an invasive arterial line, adequate pressure must be applied for at least
5 minutes to ensure adequate hemostasis. Application of an air occlusion dressing is not
standard of care following removal of an arterial line. Elevation of the affected limb
test_Answers Elaborated deeply/Spring 2023.
The nurse is caring for a 100-kg patient being monitored with a pulmonary artery
catheter. The nurse assesses a blood pressure of 90/60 mm Hg, heart rate 110
beats/min, respirations 36/min, oxygen saturation of 89% on 3 L of oxygen via nasal
cannula. Bilateral crackles are audible upon auscultation. Which hemodynamic value
requires immediate action by the nurse?
a. Cardiac index (CI) of 1.2 L/min/m3
b.Cardiac output (CO) of 4 L/min
c.Pulmonary vascular resistance
(PVR) of 80 dynes/sec/cm-
d.Systemic vascular resistance (SV) of 1800 dynes/sec/cm-5 - -A. Cardiac index (CI) of
1.2 L/min/m3
A cardiac index of 1.2 L/min/m3 combined with the identified clinical assessment
findings indicate a low cardiac output with fluid overload (bilateral crackles) requiring
intervention. The remaining hemodynamic values are within normal limits: cardiac
output of 4 L/min; pulmonary vascular resistance of 80 dynes/sec/cm-5; and the
systemic vascular resistance of 1800 dynes/sec/cm-5.
-2. While caring for a patient with a small bowel obstruction, the nurse assesses a
pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) of 1 mm Hg and hourly urine output of 5
mL. The nurse anticipates which therapeutic intervention?
a.Diuretics
b.Intravenous fluids
c.Negative inotropic agents
d.Vasopressors - -b. Intravenous fluids
Low pulmonary artery occlusion pressures usually indicate volume depletion, so
intravenous fluids would be indicated. Administration of diuretics would worsen the
patient's volume status. Negative inotropes would not improve the patient's volume
status. Vasopressors will increase blood pressure but are contraindicated in a low
volume state.
-3. The nursing is caring for a patient who has had an arterial line inserted. To reduce
the risk of complications, what is the priority nursing intervention?
a.Apply a pressure dressing to the insertion site.
b.Ensure all tubing connections are tightened.
c.Obtain a portable x-ray to confirm placement.
d.Restrain the affected extremity for 24 hours. - -b. Ensure all tubing connections are
tightened.
,Loose connections in hemodynamic monitoring tubing can lead to hemorrhage, a major
complication of arterial pressure monitoring. Application of a pressure dressing is
required only upon arterial line removal. Blood return is adequate confirmation of
arterial line placement; x-ray studies are not performed to confirm arterial line
placement. Neutral positioning of the extremity and use of an arm board, without limb
restraint, is the standard of care.
-While caring for a patient with a pulmonary artery catheter, the nurse notes the
pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) to be significantly higher than previously
recorded values. The nurse assesses respirations to be unlabored at 16 breaths/min,
oxygen saturation of 98% on 3 L of oxygen via nasal cannula, and lungs clear to
auscultation bilaterally. What is the priority nursing action?
a. Increase supplemental oxygen and notify respiratory therapy.
b. Notify the physician immediately of the assessment findings.
c. Obtain a stat chest x-ray film to verify proper catheter placement.
d. Zero reference and level the catheter at the phlebostatic axis. - -d. Zero reference and
level the catheter at the phlebostatic axis.
A hemodynamic value not supported by clinical assessment should be treated as
questionable. To ensure the accuracy of hemodynamic readings, the catheter transducer
system must be leveled at the phlebostatic axis and zero referenced. In this example, the
catheter transducer system may be lower than the phlebostatic axis, resulting in
erroneously higher pressures. Clinical manifestations do not support increasing
supplemental oxygen. Clinical manifestations do not warrant physician intervention;
aberrant values should be investigated further. An aberrant value warrants further
investigation, which includes zero referencing and checking the level as an initial
measure. A chest x-ray study is not warranted at this time.
-5. A patient is admitted to the hospital with multiple trauma and extensive blood loss.
The nurse assesses vital signs to be BP 80/50 mm Hg, heart rate 135 beats/min,
respirations 36 breaths/min, cardiac output (CO) of 2 L/min, systemic vascular
resistance of 3000 dynes/sec/cm-5, and a hematocrit of 20%. The nurse anticipates
administration of which the following therapies or medications?
a. Blood transfusion
b. Furosemide (Lasix)
c. Dobutamine (Dobutrex) infusion
d. Dopamine hydrochloride (Dopamine) infusion - -a. Blood transfusion
Both hemodynamic parameters and the reported hematocrit value indicate hypovolemia
and blood loss requiring volume resuscitation with blood products. Furosemide
administration will worsen fluid volume status. Inotropic agents will not correct the
underlying fluid volume deficit and anemia. Vasoconstrictors are contraindicated in a
volume-depleted state.
, -6. After pulmonary artery catheter insertion, the nurse assesses a pulmonary artery
pressure of 45/25 mm Hg, a pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) of 20 mm Hg,
a cardiac output of 2.6 L/min and a cardiac index of 1.9 L/min/m2. Which physician
order is of the highest priority?
a. Apply 50% oxygen via venture mask.
b. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
c. Begin a dobutamine (Dobutrex) infusion.
d. Obtain stat cardiac enzymes and troponin. - -c. Begin a dobutamine (Dobutrex)
infusion.
The pulmonary pressures are higher than normal, indicating elevated preload, and the
cardiac index and output values are low. The priority order for the nurse to implement is
to begin a dobutamine (Dobutrex) infusion to improve cardiac output, possibly reducing
pulmonary artery occlusion pressures. The other treatments are important, but the
dobutamine infusion is the most important at this time.
-7. The nurse is caring for a patient with a left subclavian central venous catheter (CVC)
and a left radial arterial line. Which assessment finding by the nurse requires immediate
action?
a. A dampened arterial line waveform
b. Numbness and tingling in the left hand
c. Slight bloody drainage at subclavian insertion site
d. Slight redness at subclavian insertion site - -b. Numbness and tingling in the left hand
Numbness and tingling in the left hand, which is the location of an arterial catheter,
indicates possible neurovascular compromise and requires immediate action. A
dampened waveform can indicate problems with arterial line patency but is not an
emergent situation. Slight bloody drainage at the subclavian insertion site is not an
unusual finding. Slight redness at the insertion site, while of concern, does not require
immediate action.
-8. The physician writes an order to discontinue a patient's left radial arterial line.
When discontinuing the patient's invasive line, what is the priority nursing action?
a. Apply an air occlusion dressing to insertion site.
b. Apply pressure to the insertion site for 5 minutes.
c. Elevate the affected limb on pillows for 24 hours.
d. Keep the patient's wrist in a neutral position. - -b. Apply pressure to the insertion site
for 5 minutes.
Upon removal of an invasive arterial line, adequate pressure must be applied for at least
5 minutes to ensure adequate hemostasis. Application of an air occlusion dressing is not
standard of care following removal of an arterial line. Elevation of the affected limb
