Which action will the nurse need to do when preparing to assist ...

[@Brianna17]

Which action will the nurse need to do when preparing to assist with the insertion of a pulmonary artery catheter?
 
  a. Determine if the cardiac troponin level is elevated.
  b. Auscultate heart and breath sounds during insertion.
  c. Place the patient on NPO status before the procedure.
  d. Attach cardiac monitoring leads before the procedure.

Question 2

When assisting with the placement of a pulmonary artery (PA) catheter, the nurse notes that the catheter is correctly placed when the monitor shows a
 
  a. typical PA pressure waveform.
  b. tracing of the systemic arterial pressure.
  c. tracing of the systemic vascular resistance.
  d. typical PA wedge pressure (PAWP) tracing.

[InfiniteSteez]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Dysrhythmias can occur as the catheter is floated through the right atrium and ventricle, and it is important for the nurse to monitor for these during insertion. Pulmonary artery catheter insertion does not require anesthesia, and the patient will not need to be NPO. Changes in cardiac troponin or heart and breath sounds are not expected during pulmonary artery catheter insertion.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The purpose of a PA line is to measure PAWP, so the catheter is floated through the pulmonary artery until the dilated balloon wedges in a distal branch of the pulmonary artery, and the PAWP readings are available. After insertion, the balloon is deflated and the PA waveform will be observed. Systemic arterial pressures are obtained using an arterial line and the systemic vascular resistance is a calculated value, not a waveform.

[@Brianna17]

Excellent

[Liamb2179]

TYSM