The proximal opening on a pulmonary artery catheter is used to ...

[lbcchick]

The proximal opening on a pulmonary artery catheter is used to measure:
 
  a. cardiac output. c. pulmonary artery pressure.
  b. central venous pressure. d. pulmonary capillary wedge pressure.

Question 2

Which port on a Swan-Ganz catheter is used to measure cardiac output?
 
  a. Distal c. Proximal
  b. Inflation d. Thermistor

[macagnavarro]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
When a pulmonary artery catheter is in the proper position, the proximal port will be located in the right atrium and can be used to monitor central venous pressure. Cardiac output can be meas-ured by using the thermistor a few centimeters from the tip of the catheter. The pulmonary artery pressure is measured by using the distal port without balloon inflation when in the pulmonary ar-tery. When the balloon is inflated, the distal port will measure the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The thermistor is used to perform a thermodilution cardiac output measurement. The distal port is used to measure pulmonary pressure and when the balloon is inflated it is used to measure pul-monary capillary wedge pressure. The balloon is inflated from the inflation port. The most proxi-mal port is used to measure central venous pressure.