480 Week 1: Hemodynamic Monitoring Lecture

A nurse is monitoring a patient with a pulmonary artery (PA) catheter. The pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) is 24 mm Hg. Which of the following additional findings would support a diagnosis of left-sided heart failure?

• Clear breath sounds and warm extremities

• Jugular venous distention and bounding peripheral pulses

• Dyspnea, bibasilar crackles, and orthopnea

• Decreased central venous pressure and tachycardia

What are some similarities and differences between a PA catheter and arterial line?