When comparing arterial, central venous, and pulmonary arterial pressures, the nurse knows that:
1. The normal pressure in the right atrium of the heart is very low, 2 to 6 mm/Hg.
2. The small vessels of the pulmonary arteries are under more pressure than systemic arterial blood pressure.
3. It is not a good idea to measure the patient's blood pressure from the arterial waveform tracing.
4. The pressures in the superior and inferior vena cava are lower than the pressure in the right atrium of the heart.
The normal pressure in the right atrium of the heart is very low, 2 to 6 mm/Hg.
Rationale: The normal pressure in the right atrium of the heart is very low, 2 to 6 mm/Hg, and is equal to the pressures in the superior and inferior vena cava because there is no valve between the vena cava and the right atrium. Pulmonary arterial pressure is normally lower than systemic arterial blood pressure. The arterial waveform tracing is an accurate way to measure blood pressure as long as the blood pressure was measured accurately.
You might also like to view...
A 73-year-old patient with hypertension is awaiting a triple cardiac bypass surgery. The patient is hard of hearing and did not understand what the surgeon said regarding the surgery
The daughter is concerned that the patient does not understand the risks of the surgery. If not clarified, this would be a violation of what principle? a. Autonomy b. Justice c. Fidelity d. Nonmaleficence
Which of the following individuals would the nurse assess as being most at risk for altered family health?
A) an unmarried adolescent with a newborn B) a newly married couple who ask about birth control C) a middle-aged man and woman with no children D) an older adult, living in an assisted-living community
The mother of a young teen brings the child to the emergency department for treatment of cellulitis that occurred after the child picked scabs from healing pimples
The mother is scolding the child for eating too many oily foods that caused the cellulitis. The nurse plans teaching which of the following to this family? 1. Consumption of oily foods poses an increased risk for cellulitis. 2. Foods such as chocolate and potato chips do not cause pimples or cellulitis. 3. Antibiotics are the best way to prevent cellulitis. 4. Popping the pimples spreads the germs over the face.
Which observation requires an intervention with a new graduate nurse by his preceptor? Select all that apply
a. Data entry on the wrong patient b. Entry of I&O values at end of shift c. Incomplete pain assessment d. Notifying pharmacy of unavailability of a medication e. Failing to complete an admission profile