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HEMODYNAMIC MONITORING NURSING
EXAM – ARTERIAL LINES & CVP
INTERPRETATION 2026 LATEST VERSION
SECTION I: ARTERIAL LINE BASICS & SETUP (1–20)
1. The primary purpose of an arterial line is:
A. Continuous blood pressure monitoring and arterial
blood sampling
B. Central venous access
C. Peripheral IV therapy
D. Nutritional support
Answer: A
Rationale: Arterial lines provide real-time BP monitoring
and allow frequent arterial blood sampling without
repeated needle sticks.
2. The most common site for arterial line insertion is:
A. Radial artery
B. Femoral artery
,2
C. Brachial artery
D. Jugular vein
Answer: A
Rationale: The radial artery is accessible, has collateral
circulation, and low complication risk.
3. Before radial artery cannulation, the nurse should
perform:
A. Allen’s test to assess ulnar collateral circulation
B. Check CVP
C. Measure urine output
D. Only palpate the pulse
Answer: A
Rationale: Ensures adequate perfusion through ulnar
artery in case of radial artery occlusion.
4. Complications of arterial lines include:
A. Infection, thrombosis, hemorrhage, ischemia
B. Only fever
C. Only hypotension
D. Pain only
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Answer: A
Rationale: Continuous monitoring carries risk for local
and systemic complications.
5. Arterial line transducers should be:
A. Zeroed at the level of the phlebostatic axis
B. Placed above the head
C. Not zeroed
D. Only leveled at foot
Answer: A
Rationale: Correct leveling ensures accurate pressure
readings reflecting the heart’s atrial pressure.
6. An overdamped arterial waveform shows:
A. Blunted or flattened waveform with lost dicrotic notch
B. Exaggerated peaks
C. Normal waveform
D. Only baseline shift
Answer: A
Rationale: Overdamping can be caused by air bubbles,
, 4
clots, or kinks, leading to inaccurate systolic/diastolic
readings.
7. An underdamped arterial waveform shows:
A. Exaggerated peaks and multiple oscillations
B. Flattened line
C. Normal waveform
D. Only baseline shift
Answer: A
Rationale: Under-damping causes overshoot and
exaggerated systolic values.
8. The nurse should flush an arterial line:
A. Using continuous pressurized flush and as needed to
maintain patency
B. Once daily
C. Never
D. Only before drawing labs
Answer: A
Rationale: Maintains catheter patency and accurate
readings.
HEMODYNAMIC MONITORING NURSING
EXAM – ARTERIAL LINES & CVP
INTERPRETATION 2026 LATEST VERSION
SECTION I: ARTERIAL LINE BASICS & SETUP (1–20)
1. The primary purpose of an arterial line is:
A. Continuous blood pressure monitoring and arterial
blood sampling
B. Central venous access
C. Peripheral IV therapy
D. Nutritional support
Answer: A
Rationale: Arterial lines provide real-time BP monitoring
and allow frequent arterial blood sampling without
repeated needle sticks.
2. The most common site for arterial line insertion is:
A. Radial artery
B. Femoral artery
,2
C. Brachial artery
D. Jugular vein
Answer: A
Rationale: The radial artery is accessible, has collateral
circulation, and low complication risk.
3. Before radial artery cannulation, the nurse should
perform:
A. Allen’s test to assess ulnar collateral circulation
B. Check CVP
C. Measure urine output
D. Only palpate the pulse
Answer: A
Rationale: Ensures adequate perfusion through ulnar
artery in case of radial artery occlusion.
4. Complications of arterial lines include:
A. Infection, thrombosis, hemorrhage, ischemia
B. Only fever
C. Only hypotension
D. Pain only
,3
Answer: A
Rationale: Continuous monitoring carries risk for local
and systemic complications.
5. Arterial line transducers should be:
A. Zeroed at the level of the phlebostatic axis
B. Placed above the head
C. Not zeroed
D. Only leveled at foot
Answer: A
Rationale: Correct leveling ensures accurate pressure
readings reflecting the heart’s atrial pressure.
6. An overdamped arterial waveform shows:
A. Blunted or flattened waveform with lost dicrotic notch
B. Exaggerated peaks
C. Normal waveform
D. Only baseline shift
Answer: A
Rationale: Overdamping can be caused by air bubbles,
, 4
clots, or kinks, leading to inaccurate systolic/diastolic
readings.
7. An underdamped arterial waveform shows:
A. Exaggerated peaks and multiple oscillations
B. Flattened line
C. Normal waveform
D. Only baseline shift
Answer: A
Rationale: Under-damping causes overshoot and
exaggerated systolic values.
8. The nurse should flush an arterial line:
A. Using continuous pressurized flush and as needed to
maintain patency
B. Once daily
C. Never
D. Only before drawing labs
Answer: A
Rationale: Maintains catheter patency and accurate
readings.
