Pulmonary Artery Catheter Troubleshooting Quiz

What is the first step to take when dealing with an over-wedged waveform?

• Detach the syringe to remove air

• Inflate the balloon further

• Reposition the patient

• Contact the provider immediately

If a catheter is in the right ventricle, what should you do first?

• Reposition the patient to the right side

• Inflate the balloon to see if it floats back

• Deflate the balloon

• Contact the provider immediately

What should you check if there is an absent waveform?

• The patient's blood pressure

• The scale on the monitor

• The patient's temperature

• The patient's oxygen level

What is a common cause of an over-damped waveform?

• Low blood pressure

• Incorrect patient positioning

• A faulty monitor

• Too much tubing or too many stopcocks

What is a potential cause of an under-damped waveform?

• Low blood pressure

• Incorrect patient positioning

• Too much tubing or too many stopcocks

• A faulty transducer

What should you do if you are unable to obtain a wedge waveform?

• Contact the provider immediately

• Reposition the patient

• Check the centimeter marking for changes

• Inject more air into the balloon

What is the first step if blood backs up into the PA catheter?

• Reposition the patient

• Contact the provider immediately

• Turn the stopcock off to the patient

• Flush the line with saline

What should you do if you notice erratic waveforms not correlated with movement?

• Ignore it as it is normal

• Flush the line with saline

• Reposition the patient

• Contact the provider to adjust the catheter

What is a critical step if a patient develops hemoptysis?

• Contact the provider immediately

• Flush the line with saline

• Increase the oxygen flow

• Reposition the patient

What should be done if unexpected pressure changes occur?

• Reposition the patient

• Re-zero the transducer and check for bubbles

• Contact the provider immediately

• Ignore it as it is normal