Hemodynamic Monitoring Flashcards
7 cards from real CVT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Hemodynamic Monitoring flashcards as text
Septic shock (distributive) is best characterized hemodynamically by:
Answer: High CO, low SVR, low PCWP
Early septic shock features vasodilation (low SVR), compensatory high cardiac output, and relatively low filling pressures from venous pooling.
The stroke volume (SV) can be calculated from hemodynamic data using which formula?
Answer: SV = CO / HR × 1000
Stroke volume = (CO in L/min / HR in beats/min) × 1000 mL/L, converting to mL per beat.
When a PA catheter is in the correct wedge position, the waveform should resemble which pressure tracing?
Answer: Left atrial pressure with 'a' and 'v' waves
In the wedge position, the inflated balloon occludes forward flow, allowing the distal tip to sense static left atrial pressure with characteristic 'a' and 'v' waves.
A patient post-cardiac surgery has a CO of 2.1 L/min, CI of 1.1 L/min/m², and PCWP of 20 mmHg. These findings suggest:
Answer: Cardiogenic shock with fluid overload
A CI below 2.2 with an elevated PCWP indicates the left ventricle is volume-loaded but failing, consistent with cardiogenic shock.
Right atrial pressure (RAP/CVP) primarily reflects:
Answer: Right ventricular preload and right-sided filling
CVP/RAP directly measures right atrial filling pressure, which approximates right ventricular end-diastolic pressure and right-sided preload.
Which finding on PA catheter pullback tracing confirms the catheter tip has entered the right ventricle?
Answer: Sudden appearance of a high systolic pressure with a low diastolic pressure near zero
Entry into the right ventricle is confirmed by a waveform with elevated systolic pressure (matching PA systolic) but near-zero diastolic pressure, unlike the PA which has a diastolic floor.
A CVT notices the arterial line waveform has an exaggerated systolic peak and narrow base during a deep inspiration in a ventilated patient. This most likely represents:
Answer: Pulsus paradoxus due to cardiac tamponade or severe hypovolemia
Exaggerated respiratory variation in arterial waveform amplitude indicates significant preload dependence, classically seen in tamponade or hypovolemia (pulsus paradoxus).