Understanding PA Catheter Waveforms

What is the primary purpose of a PA catheter?

• To assess pressures in the heart and lungs

• To measure blood glucose levels

• To administer chemotherapy

• To monitor brain activity

Which part of the CVP waveform is associated with atrial contraction?

• Y descent

• V wave

• A wave

• C wave

What does the C wave in the CVP waveform represent?

• Atrial contraction

• Bowing of the tricuspid valve

• Ventricular filling

• Rapid atrial emptying

In the CVP waveform, what does the X descent indicate?

• Tricuspid valve closure

• Atrial filling

• Ventricular contraction

• Atrial relaxation

When is the right ventricular pressure waveform typically observed?

• During atrial contraction

• During pulmonary artery occlusion

• During ventricular diastole

• During PA catheter insertion

What is the significance of the dichrotic notch in the pulmonary artery pressure waveform?

• It represents ventricular filling

• It indicates atrial contraction

• It marks the closure of the pulmonic valve

• It shows the opening of the tricuspid valve

What does the diastolic step up in the pulmonary artery pressure waveform indicate?

• Increased pulmonary artery diastolic pressure

• Increased right atrial pressure

• Decreased ventricular pressure

• Decreased pulmonary vascular resistance

What does the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure approximate?

• Right atrial pressure

• Left atrial pressure

• Pulmonary artery pressure

• Ventricular pressure

Why is the C wave absent in the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure waveform?

• Due to rapid atrial filling

• Because of pressure transmission through the pulmonary capillary bed

• Due to ventricular contraction

• Because the tricuspid valve is closed

What is the relationship between the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and the QRS complex on an ECG?

• It appears before the QRS complex

• It appears during the P wave

• It appears near the end of the QRS complex

• It appears during the T wave