NRNP 6566: Week 7 Knowledge Check. Questions & Answers.

• Question 1 A patient with respiratory failure has hemodynamic monitoring and is receiving mechanical ventilation with peak end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 10 cm H2O. Which information indicates that a change in the ventilator settings may be required? a. The arterial line shows a blood pressure of 90/46. b. The pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) is decreased. c. The cardiac monitor shows a heart rate of 58 beats/min. d. The pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) is increased. Correct Answer: The hypotension indicates that the high intrathoracic pressure caused by the PEEP may be de-creasing venous return and cardiac output (CO). Decreasing the PEEP should decrease the intrathoracic pressure and improving venous return and cardiac output.