The patient in the critical care area has an invasive hemodynamic pressure monitoring line. Where would the nurse mark the patient's phlebostatic axis?
1. Fourth intercostal space, halfway between the left anterior and posterior chest walls
2. Fifth intercostal space, midclavicular line
3. Second intercostal space at the anterior chest wall
4. Right side of sternum just below the sternal notch
1
Rationale 1: The phlebostatis axis is marked halfway between the left anterior and posterior chest walls (midaxillary line) at the fourth intercostal space.
Rationale 2: The fifth intercostal space, midclavicular line, is the position of the apex of the heart and is where auscultation for the apical pulse should be performed.
Rationale 3: The second intercostal space is too high to use as a landmark for the atrium.
Rationale 4: The right side of the sternum just below the sternal notch is the location of the second intercostal space.
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