Hemodynamic Monitoring Flashcards
Hemodynamic Monitoring
Measures pressure, flow, and oxygenation in CV system
What does it assess?
Heart function, fluid balance, and effects of drugs on the CO (frequent lab draws)
Components of Pressure Monitoring system
Pressure bag (300 mmHg) with flush solution
3-way stopcock (zero to atmosphere)
Transducer
Continuous flush valves (1-3 mL/hr) patency of cath.
Pressure cable (transducer to monitor)
Fast flush device (zeroing/ square wave test) clearing the line after drawing labs
Pressure tubing
Connection for specimen collection
What do you do immediately after the pressure monitoring system is set up?
Zero to determine correct waveform and device is in correct position
Principles of Invassive Pressure Monitoring
Zero to the environment and dynamic response characteristics optimized
Referencing the transducer at the phlebostatic axis aka the atria of the heart) at the midaxillary line
Leveling Transducer
Above Phlebostatic Axis = Falsely LOW BP
Below Phlebostatic Axis = Falsely HIGH BP
Re-zero the device when position changes and q12 hours
Dynamic Response Test (Square Wave Test)
Fast Flush to determine pressure and waveforms are accurate q12 hours
Done on initial insertion, blood draws (clots/thrombus), open air
Expected square wave test
NORMAL
Box and 1-2 oscillations (return of the waveform)
Overdamped
Box = slopped
Air bubbles, kinks, clots = damped/flatten waveform
Underdamped
MORE oscillations/vibrations before returning to normal
Inaccurate Monitor Reading
Air Bubbles
Thrombosis ( clots at tip or clot at the end)
Displacement
Stopcocks if there are >3
Tubing (too long)
Pressure Bag (not inflated enough)
Troubleshooting Overdamped
Problem = Inaccurate readings
Completely flush line and/or catheter (no air bubbles)
Back flush through the system to clear bubbles from the tubing/transducer
Troubleshooting Underdamped
Problem = falsely high values
Perform a fast-flush square wave test to verify optimal damping on the monitoring system
Troubleshooting Normal Waveform + low/high pressure reading
- Check the patient
- Ensure the system is leveled correctly
- Recalibrate (re-zero) if the transducer changes positions
- Reposition to phlebostatic axis
Troubleshooting with NO waveform
- Check patient
- Check the equipment - catheter kinked (vessel wall, different position), stopcock turned off (aka wrong way)
Potential Complications
Clot Formation
Hemorrhage
Air Emboli (resp. distress, cv collapse r/t PE) occluded area where air escapes
Infection
Nursing Interventions related to potential complications
CLOT
Low-rate infusion via in-line flush device to maintain patency
Gently aspirating the line via small syringe @ proximal stopcock and flush after clot removed
Hemorrhage
Use luer-lock connections (screws) in-line setup, close and cap stopcock when not in use
Tighten all connections, flush the line, and estimate blood loss
Air Emboli
Prevention (no air bubbles within the in-line setup
100% O2 and place on left lateral trendelenberg
Infection
Aseptic technique, proper hand hygiene, remove as soon as stable/possible
Alarm safety
ALARM IDENTIFICATION
Audible and visual indication (make sure you can hear and differentiate)
Life-threatening should sound different than noncritical alarm solutions
DISABLING AND SILENCING ALARMS
Silenced alarms need to have visual alarms (disabled)
Critical alarms should not be “turned off”
ALARM LIMITS
Adjusted per patient needs (decrease alarm fatigue)
Displayed on monitor