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?No sweat, you're still learning!Document a pulmonary artery catheter occlusion pressure.Zero reference the transducer system at the phlebostatic axis.Inflate the pulmonary artery catheter balloon with 1 mL air.Inject 10 mL of 0.9% normal saline into the proximal port.

While inflating the balloon of a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) with 1.0 mL of air to obtain a pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP), the nurse encounters resistance. What is the best nursing action?Not quite, you're still learning!Add an additional 0.5 mL of air to the balloon and repeat the procedure.Advance the catheter with the balloon deflated and repeat the procedure.Deflate the balloon and obtain a chest x-ray study to determine line placement.Lock the balloon in the inflated position and flush the distal port of the PAC with normal saline.

While caring for a patient with a pulmonary artery catheter, the nurse notes the pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) to be significantly higher than previously recorded values. The nurse assesses respirations to be unlabored at 16 breaths/min, oxygen saturation of 98% on 3 L of oxygen via nasal cannula, and lungs clear to auscultation bilaterally. What is the priority nursing action?Not quite, you're still learning!Increase supplemental oxygen and notify respiratory therapy.Notify the physician immediately of the assessment findings.Obtain a stat chest x-ray film to verify proper catheter placement.Zero reference and level the catheter at the phlebostatic axis.

The nurse is educating a patient's family member about a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC). Which statement by the family member best indicates understanding of the purpose of the PAC?No sweat, you're still learning!"The catheter will provide multiple sites to give intravenous fluid.""The catheter will allow the physician to better manage fluid therapy.""The catheter tip comes to rest inside my brother's pulmonary artery.""The catheter will be in position until the heart has a chance to heal."

The nurse is caring for a patient with a left radial arterial line, and a pulmonary artery catheter inserted into the right subclavian vein. Which action by the nurse best ensures the safety of the patient being monitored with invasive hemodynamic monitoring lines?No worries, learning is a process!Document all waveform values.Limit the pressure tubing length.Zero reference the system daily.Ensure alarm limits are turned on.

After pulmonary artery catheter insertion, the nurse assesses a pulmonary artery pressure of 45/25 mm Hg, a pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) of 20 mm Hg, a cardiac output of 2.6 L/min and a cardiac index of 1.9 L/min/m2. Which physician order is of the highest priority?No worries, learning is a process!Apply 50% oxygen via venture mask.Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.Begin a dobutamine (Dobutrex) infusion.Obtain stat cardiac enzymes and troponin.