The critical care nurse is aware that pulmonary artery pressure monitoring is used to assess left ventricular function (cardiac output) and to:

Question

A) Evaluate the patient's response to interventions such as fluid administration and drug administration
B) Obtain specimens for arterial blood gas measurements
C) Continuously monitor a patient with heart failure although it has been determined not to be clinically useful
D) Diagnose the etiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Answer 1

Ans: A
Feedback: Pulmonary artery pressure monitoring is an important tool used in critical care for assessing left ventricular function (cardiac output), diagnosing the etiology of shock and evaluating the patient's response to medical interventions such as fluid administration and vasoactive medications. Pulmonary artery monitoring is preferred for the patient with heart failure over central venous pressure monitoring. Arterial catheters are useful when arterial blood gas measurements and blood samples need to be obtained frequently.