The nurse returns from the cardiac catheterization laboratory with a patient following insertion of a pulmonary artery catheter and assists in transferring the patient from the stretcher to the bed.Prior to obtaining a cardiac output,which action is most important for the nurse to complete?
A) Document a pulmonary artery catheter occlusion pressure.
B) Zero reference the transducer system at the phlebostatic axis.
C) Inflate the pulmonary artery catheter balloon with 1 mL air.
D) Inject 10 mL of 0.9% normal saline into the proximal port.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To ensure accurate measurement,zero referencing of the transducer system is a priority action after moving a patient and should be completed prior to injecting 10 mL of room temperature 0.9% normal saline.A pulmonary artery catheter occlusion pressure should be documented before obtaining a cardiac output,but without zero referencing the system following movement of a patient,the obtained value may be inaccurate.Inflating the pulmonary artery catheter balloon with 1 mL of air,while appropriate,is not a step required prior to obtaining a cardiac output.

The Nurse Returns from the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory with a Patient