A nurse is preparing a client for transfer to the ICU for placement of a pulmonary artery catheter. The nurse should explain to the client that this catheter is used to monitor which of the following conditions?

Hemodynamic status

Spinal cord perfusion

Renal function

Intracranial pressure

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A Reason: This is correct because a pulmonary artery catheter is a device that measures the pressures and ﬂows in the heart and lungs, such as the pulmonary artery pressure, the pulmonary artery wedge pressure, the cardiac output, and the mixed venous oxygen saturation. These parameters reﬂect the hemodynamic status of the client, which is the balance between the cardiac output and the systemic vascular resistance.

Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because a pulmonary artery catheter does not measure spinal cord perfusion, which is the blood ﬂow to the spinal cord. Spinal cord perfusion can be aﬀected by spinal cord injury, spinal anesthesia, or spinal surgery.

Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because a pulmonary artery catheter does not measure renal function, which is the ability of the kidneys to filter waste products and maintain ﬂuid and electrolyte balance. Renal function can be assessed by urine output, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and glomerular filtration rate.

Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because a pulmonary artery catheter does not measure intracranial pressure, which is the pressure inside the skull. Intracranial pressure can be increased by brain injury, stroke, tumor, infection, or hydrocephalus.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A Reason: This is correct because dopamine is a vasopressor that increases the contractility and stroke volume of the heart, which results in an increased systolic blood pressure.

Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because dopamine can cause tachycardia as a side eﬀect, but this does not indicate a therapeutic eﬀect. An increased radial heart rate can also indicate other conditions, such as anxiety, fever, or dehydration.

Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because dopamine does not reduce cardiac output, but rather increases it by improving the pumping function of the heart.

Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because dopamine does not reduce urine output, but rather increases it by stimulating the renal blood vessels and enhancing renal perfusion.

A. Respiratory status B. Temperature C. Intracranial pressure D. Serum electrolytes

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The correct answer is a. Respiratory status.

Choice A: Respiratory Status

Reason: After the evacuation of a subdural hematoma, monitoring the respiratory status is crucial. This is because changes in respiratory patterns can indicate increased intracranial pressure (ICP) or brainstem compression, which are life-threatening conditions. Ensuring that the airway is clear and that the patient is breathing adequately is the top priority. Normal respiratory rate for adults is 12-20 breaths per minute.

Choice B: Temperature

Reason: While monitoring temperature is important to detect infections or other complications, it is not the immediate priority in the acute postoperative period following a subdural hematoma evacuation. Fever can indicate infection, but it is less likely to cause immediate life-threatening complications compared to respiratory issues.

Choice C: Intracranial Pressure

Reason: Monitoring intracranial pressure (ICP) is very important in patients with brain injuries. Normal ICP ranges from 5-15 mmHg. However, changes in respiratory status can be an early indicator of increased ICP. Therefore, while ICP monitoring is critical, ensuring the patient’s respiratory status is stable takes precedence.

Choice D: Serum Electrolytes

Reason: Serum electrolytes are important to monitor for overall metabolic stability and to detect imbalances that could affect neurological function. Normal ranges for key electrolytes are: Sodium (135-145 mEq/L), Potassium (3.5-4.5 mEq/L), and Chloride (80-100 mEq/L). However, these are not the immediate priority in the acute phase following surgery compared to respiratory status.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse is preparing a client for transfer to the ICU for placement of a pulmonary artery catheter. The nurse should explain to the client that this catheter is used to monitor which of the following conditions?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving dopamine IV to treat left ventricular failure. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the medication is having a therapeutic eﬀect?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client 4 hr following evacuation of a subdural hematoma. Which of the following assessments is the nurse's priority?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse in a critical care unit is caring for a client who suﬀered a knife wound to the chest. The nurse suspects the client is developing cardiac tamponade. Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse identify as supporting this suspicion?

A nurse is caring for a client whose arterial blood gas results show a pH of 7.3 and a PaCO2 of 50 mm Hg. The nurse should identify that the client is experiencing which of the following acid-base imbalances?

A nurse is evaluating the central venous pressure (CVP) of a client who has sustained multiple traumas. Which of the following interpretations of a low CVP should the nurse make?

A nurse is caring for a client who has acute respiratory failure (ARF). The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following manifestations of this condition? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse working for a home health agency is assessing an older adult male client. Which of the following findings is the priority for the nurse to address?

A nurse is caring for a client who has acute kidney injury (AKI). Which of the following arterial blood gas values would the nurse expect this client to have?