Ch 35: Hemodynamic Instability Flashcards
pages 779-785
A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving hemodynamic monitoring. The physician orders measurements of systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures, central venous pressure (CVP), and pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP). What is the primary purpose of these measurements?
A) To assess the effectiveness of medication therapy
B) To measure heart function, fluid balance, and the effects of fluids and drugs on cardiac output
C) To monitor electrolyte imbalances and kidney function
D) To assess respiratory status and lung compliance
B) To measure heart function, fluid balance, and the effects of fluids and drugs on cardiac output
Rationale: Hemodynamic monitoring is primarily used to assess heart function, fluid balance, and the effects of fluids and medications on cardiac output (CO). These measurements provide valuable data on the cardiovascular system’s status and help guide treatment decisions.
A nurse is caring for a patient who has a central venous catheter in place for hemodynamic monitoring. The nurse notes a central venous pressure (CVP) reading of 12 mmHg. Which of the following is the most appropriate interpretation of this CVP value?
A) The patient is experiencing hypovolemia
B) The patient is in shock
C) The patient has normal cardiac output
D) The patient may have fluid overload or right-sided heart failure
D) The patient may have fluid overload or right-sided heart failure
Rationale: A CVP value of 12 mmHg is above the normal range (2-8 mmHg), indicating possible fluid overload or right-sided heart failure. Elevated CVP reflects increased venous pressure, which can occur with fluid retention or poor right ventricular function.
A patient with sepsis is undergoing hemodynamic monitoring, and their mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) is measured at 40%. The nurse understands that this value suggests:
A) Increased tissue oxygenation and adequate perfusion
B) Decreased tissue oxygenation and inadequate oxygen delivery
C) Normal oxygen delivery and consumption
D) Adequate tissue oxygenation despite low cardiac output
B) Decreased tissue oxygenation and inadequate oxygen delivery
Rationale: A SvO2 of 40% is lower than the normal range (60-75%), indicating decreased tissue oxygenation and inadequate oxygen delivery. This could be related to poor perfusion and low cardiac output, which are often seen in septic patients.
A nurse is assessing a patient with a pulmonary artery catheter. The pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) is 18 mmHg. What is the nurse’s primary concern regarding this PAWP value?
A) The patient may be experiencing left-sided heart failure or fluid overload
B) The patient is hypovolemic and may need fluid resuscitation
C) The patient may be experiencing right-sided heart failure
D) The patient’s cardiac output is normal and stable
A) The patient may be experiencing left-sided heart failure or fluid overload
Rationale: A PAWP value of 18 mmHg is elevated (normal range is 4-12 mmHg), indicating that the patient may be experiencing left-sided heart failure or fluid overload. PAWP is a reflection of left atrial pressure and can help diagnose left-sided heart failure or pulmonary edema.
A nurse is caring for a patient receiving an intravenous infusion of fluids. Hemodynamic monitoring shows a cardiac output (CO) of 3 L/min and a cardiac index (CI) of 1.8 L/min/m². What is the nurse’s interpretation of these values?
A) Normal cardiac output and normal cardiac index
B) Decreased cardiac output and normal cardiac index
C) Decreased cardiac output and decreased cardiac index, indicating poor perfusion
D) Increased cardiac output and normal cardiac index
C) Decreased cardiac output and decreased cardiac index, indicating poor perfusion
Rationale: A CO of 3 L/min is low, and the CI of 1.8 L/min/m² is also below the normal range (2.5-4.0 L/min/m²), indicating poor perfusion. This suggests that the heart is not pumping enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
A nurse is monitoring a patient’s hemodynamic parameters, which include systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). The nurse understands that these measurements are used to assess which of the following?
A) The resistance of the systemic and pulmonary arterial vasculature
B) The effectiveness of the patient’s respiratory therapy
C) The levels of oxygen saturation in the patient’s blood
D) The volume of blood circulating in the body
A) The resistance of the systemic and pulmonary arterial vasculature
Rationale: Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) assess the resistance of the arterial vasculature in the systemic and pulmonary circuits. These values help evaluate the hemodynamic status of the patient and guide therapy.
A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving hemodynamic monitoring. The patient’s cardiac output (CO) is stable, but the nurse notices that the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in arterial blood (SaO2) has dropped to 85%. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A) Continue to monitor the SaO2 levels, as they may fluctuate
B) Administer supplemental oxygen to increase oxygen saturation
C) Increase the intravenous fluid rate to improve circulation
D) Assess the patient’s central venous pressure (CVP) to check for fluid overload
B) Administer supplemental oxygen to increase oxygen saturation
Rationale: A SaO2 of 85% is below the normal range (95-100%) and indicates that the patient is not receiving enough oxygen. Administering supplemental oxygen is the priority action to improve oxygenation and prevent hypoxia.
A patient with a history of heart failure is undergoing hemodynamic monitoring. The nurse notices that the systemic arterial pressure is low, and the pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) is elevated. What does this combination of findings most likely indicate?
A) Right-sided heart failure with low systemic vascular resistance
B) Left-sided heart failure with decreased cardiac output
C) Fluid overload with poor perfusion
D) Hypovolemia with inadequate oxygenation
B) Left-sided heart failure with decreased cardiac output
Rationale: In left-sided heart failure, the PAWP is elevated due to increased pressure in the left atrium and pulmonary circulation. A low systemic arterial pressure indicates poor perfusion, which is commonly seen in patients with decreased cardiac output from left-sided heart failure.
A nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure. The patient’s cardiac output (CO) is measured at 3.5 L/min, and the cardiac index (CI) is calculated to be 2.2 L/min/m². How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A) The patient’s CO is normal, but the CI is low, indicating poor perfusion for the patient’s body size.
B) The CO is low, but the CI is normal, indicating adequate perfusion for the patient’s body size.
C) Both CO and CI are normal, indicating adequate perfusion.
D) The CO and CI are both low, indicating inadequate perfusion for the patient’s body size.
A) The patient’s CO is normal, but the CI is low, indicating poor perfusion for the patient’s body size.
Rationale: The normal CI range is 2.8-4.2 L/min/m². A CI of 2.2 L/min/m² is below the normal range, suggesting poor perfusion relative to the patient’s body size. Despite the CO being within the normal range, the low CI indicates that the blood flow is insufficient for the body size.
A patient’s stroke volume (SV) is measured at 75 mL, and their body surface area (BSA) is 1.8 m². The nurse calculates the stroke volume index (SVI) using the formula SVI = SV/BSA. What is the patient’s SVI?
A) 35 mL/m²
B) 50 mL/m²
C) 42 mL/m²
D) 67 mL/m²
C) 42 mL/m²
Rationale: The SVI is calculated as SV (75 mL) divided by BSA (1.8 m²). Therefore, 75 mL ÷ 1.8 m² = 41.7 mL/m², which rounds to 42 mL/m². The SVI is a measure of the stroke volume adjusted for body size.
A nurse is caring for a patient with high blood pressure. The nurse understands that systemic vascular resistance (SVR) is one of the factors that influence blood pressure (BP). Which of the following is true regarding SVR?
A) SVR is the opposition encountered by the left ventricle in pumping blood.
B) SVR is the volume of blood pumped by the heart in one minute.
C) SVR reflects the resistance to blood flow from the pulmonary circulation.
D) SVR has no significant impact on blood pressure.
A) SVR is the opposition encountered by the left ventricle in pumping blood.
Rationale: SVR is the resistance that the left ventricle must overcome to pump blood into the systemic circulation. It is a key determinant of blood pressure, as increased SVR raises BP, and decreased SVR lowers BP.
A patient with sepsis has a low stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO). The nurse understands that which of the following factors is most likely contributing to the decrease in CO?
A) Decreased preload due to dehydration
B) Increased contractility from compensatory mechanisms
C) Increased afterload from systemic vasodilation
D) Increased systemic vascular resistance (SVR) from inflammation
C) Increased afterload from systemic vasodilation
Rationale: In sepsis, systemic vasodilation occurs due to inflammatory responses, leading to decreased SVR and increased afterload. This increases the resistance against which the heart must pump, ultimately decreasing cardiac output and stroke volume.
A nurse is caring for a patient in shock and notes that the patient’s cardiac index (CI) is measured at 1.5 L/min/m². Which of the following is the most appropriate intervention for this patient?
A) Administer IV fluids to increase preload and improve perfusion.
B) Increase the afterload by administering vasodilators to enhance circulation.
C) Administer inotropes to improve contractility and increase CO.
D) Decrease the preload by reducing fluid intake to decrease cardiac workload.
A) Administer IV fluids to increase preload and improve perfusion.
Rationale: A CI of 1.5 L/min/m² is significantly below the normal range, indicating poor perfusion. Administering IV fluids increases preload, which can help improve cardiac output and perfusion. Fluids are essential in shock states where preload is often low.
A nurse is reviewing a patient’s hemodynamic data, which shows a cardiac output (CO) of 4.5 L/min, stroke volume (SV) of 90 mL, and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) of 1300 dynes·sec·cm⁻⁵. Based on these values, what can the nurse infer about the patient’s cardiovascular status?
A) The patient has adequate cardiac output with normal vascular resistance.
B) The patient may have poor perfusion due to low stroke volume and high vascular resistance.
C) The patient’s cardiac output is normal, but the vascular resistance is low.
D) The patient’s stroke volume is high, indicating hyperdynamic circulation.
B) The patient may have poor perfusion due to low stroke volume and high vascular resistance.
Rationale: Despite a normal cardiac output (4.5 L/min), the low stroke volume (90 mL) and high systemic vascular resistance (SVR) (normal range is 800-1200 dynes·sec·cm⁻⁵) suggest that the heart is working against high resistance, potentially compromising perfusion and increasing the workload on the heart.
A nurse is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with heart failure. The patient has a pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) of 18 mmHg. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
A) The PAWP is normal, indicating optimal preload and heart function.
B) The PAWP is elevated, suggesting increased left ventricular preload.
C) The PAWP is low, indicating reduced left ventricular preload and inadequate filling.
D) The PAWP is within the normal range, suggesting no issues with preload
B) The PAWP is elevated, suggesting increased left ventricular preload.
Rationale: The normal PAWP is typically between 6-12 mmHg. A PAWP of 18 mmHg is elevated, suggesting increased left ventricular preload. This may be due to heart failure or fluid overload, leading to poor heart function.
A nurse is monitoring a patient with sepsis. The patient’s central venous pressure (CVP) is measured at 12 mmHg. How does the nurse interpret this CVP value?
A) The CVP is elevated, indicating increased right ventricular preload.
B) The CVP is normal, suggesting adequate venous return and preload.
C) The CVP is low, indicating hypovolemia and reduced preload.
D) The CVP is high, suggesting left ventricular failure.
A) The CVP is elevated, indicating increased right ventricular preload.
Rationale: The normal CVP is between 2-6 mmHg. A CVP of 12 mmHg is elevated and indicates increased right ventricular preload. In sepsis, fluid shifts and increased blood volume may lead to higher CVP, suggesting an increased workload on the right ventricle.
A nurse is caring for a patient with mitral valve dysfunction. The patient’s left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) is being monitored. Which of the following best describes how mitral valve dysfunction affects preload?
A) Mitral valve dysfunction increases preload by allowing blood to flow back into the left atrium.
B) Mitral valve dysfunction decreases preload by preventing blood from entering the left ventricle.
C) Mitral valve dysfunction has no impact on preload or the LVEDP.
D) Mitral valve dysfunction causes a decrease in LVEDP due to regurgitation.
A) Mitral valve dysfunction increases preload by allowing blood to flow back into the left atrium.
Rationale: Mitral valve dysfunction, particularly mitral regurgitation, allows blood to flow back into the left atrium, increasing the volume of blood returning to the left ventricle. This increased volume results in higher left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and increased preload.
A nurse is assessing a patient who has been administered diuretics for fluid overload. Which of the following is the most likely outcome of diuretic therapy on preload?
A) Increased preload due to increased venous return from reduced fluid volume.
B) Decreased preload due to reduced circulating blood volume and venous return.
C) Increased preload due to enhanced myocardial contractility from diuresis.
D) No effect on preload as diuretics primarily affect the kidneys and not the heart.
B) Decreased preload due to reduced circulating blood volume and venous return.
Rationale: Diuretics reduce the circulating blood volume by increasing urinary output. This leads to a decrease in venous return and preload, which reduces the volume in the ventricles at the end of diastole.
A nurse is monitoring a patient who has been given fluids to increase preload. Which of the following is the most likely outcome of fluid administration on preload?
A) Preload will decrease due to the body’s compensatory mechanisms.
B) Fluid administration has no effect on preload or vascular tone.
C) Preload will increase due to an increase in circulating blood volume.
D) Preload will decrease as a result of decreased systemic vascular resistance.
C) Preload will increase due to an increase in circulating blood volume.
Rationale: Administering fluids increases the circulating blood volume, which increases venous return to the heart. This leads to an increase in preload, which in turn increases the volume in the ventricles at the end of diastole.
A nurse is caring for a patient with dysrhythmia. The nurse understands that dysrhythmias can affect preload in what way?
A) Dysrhythmias can cause irregular heart rhythms that impair the filling of the ventricles, reducing preload.
B) Dysrhythmias have no effect on preload or ventricular filling.
C) Dysrhythmias increase preload by enhancing the heart’s filling capacity.
D) Dysrhythmias increase preload by increasing venous return.
A) Dysrhythmias can cause irregular heart rhythms that impair the filling of the ventricles, reducing preload.
Rationale: Dysrhythmias can result in ineffective or irregular contractions, impairing ventricular filling during diastole. This leads to a reduction in preload because the ventricles do not fill properly, resulting in less blood being returned to the heart.
A nurse is reviewing a patient’s hemodynamic data and notices that the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) is increased. Which of the following conditions is most likely contributing to the elevated LVEDP?
A) Hypervolemia, causing excessive fluid in the ventricles.
B) Mitral valve stenosis, preventing blood from flowing out of the left ventricle.
C) Hypovolemia, leading to a decreased volume in the ventricles.
D) Right heart failure, leading to an increased pressure in the right ventricle.
B) Mitral valve stenosis, preventing blood from flowing out of the left ventricle.
Rationale: Mitral valve stenosis causes a narrowing of the mitral valve, obstructing blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle. This leads to increased pressure in the left ventricle at the end of diastole, resulting in elevated LVEDP and increased preload.
A nurse is caring for a patient who has been given vasodilators. The nurse understands that vasodilation affects preload by which of the following mechanisms?
A) Vasodilation increases venous return, thus increasing preload.
B) Vasodilation has no effect on preload.
C) Vasodilation increases contractility and decreases preload.
D) Vasodilation decreases venous return, thus reducing preload.
D) Vasodilation decreases venous return, thus reducing preload.
Rationale: Vasodilators cause the blood vessels to relax and widen, which reduces venous return to the heart. This decreases the volume of blood returning to the heart, reducing preload.
A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of cardiac surgery. The nurse notes that the patient’s CVP is low at 2 mmHg. Which of the following interventions would be most appropriate for this patient?
A) Administer diuretics to decrease fluid overload.
B) Administer vasodilators to reduce afterload.
C) Increase fluid administration to raise the CVP and improve preload.
D) Perform a fluid restriction to prevent further preload reduction.
C) Increase fluid administration to raise the CVP and improve preload.
Rationale: A low CVP (below the normal range of 2-6 mmHg) suggests reduced venous return or hypovolemia. Administering fluids helps to raise the CVP by increasing circulating blood volume and improving preload, which is necessary for optimal heart function.
A patient with hypertension is experiencing increased systemic vascular resistance (SVR). How does this affect afterload and cardiac output?
A) Increased SVR decreases afterload and increases cardiac output.
B) Increased SVR increases afterload and decreases cardiac output.
C) Increased SVR has no impact on afterload or cardiac output.
D) Increased SVR decreases afterload but has no effect on cardiac output.
B) Increased SVR increases afterload and decreases cardiac output.
Rationale: Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) reflects the resistance the left ventricle must overcome to eject blood. When SVR increases, afterload also increases, making it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively, leading to decreased cardiac output.