The waveform of a pulmonary catheter,shown in the figure,is located in which of the following?

A) Right atrium
B) Pulmonary artery
C) Right ventricle
D) Pulmonary capillary with a wedge

Question

The waveform of a pulmonary catheter,shown in the figure,is located in which of the following?

A) Right atrium 
B) Pulmonary artery 
C) Right ventricle 
D) Pulmonary capillary with a wedge

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The figure shows a systolic pressure of approximately 22 mm Hg and a diastolic of approximately 8-10 mm Hg.This falls within the normal pulmonary artery pressures of 15-35/5-15 mm Hg.The presence of the dicrotic notch is another hint that the catheter is in the pulmonary artery.The right atrial pressure is normally between 2 and 6 mm Hg.A catheter in the right ventricle would show pressures of 15-35/2-6 mm Hg.The pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP or PAOP)normally varies between 2 and 15 mm Hg.

The Waveform of a Pulmonary Catheter,shown in the Figure,is Located