A patient in the intensive care unit has a pulmonary artery ...

[geoffrey]

A patient in the intensive care unit has a pulmonary artery catheter for hemodynamic monitoring. On assessment, the nurse finds the patient clinically unchanged from the last assessment, but the hemodynamic data are significantly changed.
 
  Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?
  A.
  Document the findings and continue to monitor.
  B.
  Level and recalibrate the hemodynamic line.
  C.
  Notify the health-care provider of the findings.
  D.
  Review the last set of laboratory data for any changes.

Question 2

A new nurse is caring for a child who has an arterial catheter in the radial artery. Which action by the new nurse causes the experienced nurse to intervene?
 
  A.
  Checks to see if arterial line connections are secure frequently
  B.
  Cleans the hub before giving medication through the site
  C.
  Documents arterial blood pressures and mean arterial pressure
  D.
  Monitors for blood loss at the site each time rounding is done

[kbennett34]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
When caring for a patient with hemodynamic monitoring, the nurse must be able to zero and level the catheter transducers, monitor the waveforms, and interpret the data. When the data do not match the clinical picture, the nurse should check the equipment. The findings should be documented, but further action is needed. The health-care provider may or may not need to be notified, but the nurse would first check the equipment to ensure the readings were accurate. Reviewing laboratory data is another nursing responsibility, but does not directly address the issue.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Arterial lines should not be used to give medications and should be clearly labeled so that this does not happen. The other actions are appropriate.

[geoffrey]

Correct answers!

[kbennett34]

Great! Please up vote