Pulmonary Artery Catheter Troubleshooting Quiz

What is the primary goal of the ICU Advantage channel?

• To entertain viewers with medical dramas

• To provide confidence in ICU settings by simplifying complex topics

• To sell medical equipment

• To offer cooking tips for hospital staff

What should be done first if a pulmonary artery catheter is over wedged?

• Ignore the waveform

• Call the provider immediately

• Detach the syringe to remove air

• Inflate the balloon further

If a catheter is in the right ventricle, what is the initial step to correct it?

• Deflate the balloon

• Inflate the balloon to see if it floats back naturally

• Pull the catheter out

• Increase the air pressure

What should you check if there is an absent waveform?

• The patient's temperature

• The scale on the monitor

• The patient's blood type

• The room's lighting

What is a common cause of an over damped waveform?

• Incorrect patient positioning

• Low battery in the equipment

• A faulty monitor

• Too much tubing or too many stopcocks

What should be done if a wedge waveform cannot be obtained?

• Inject more air into the balloon

• Check the centimeter marking for changes

• Ignore the issue

• Replace the entire catheter

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

• Call for a nurse

• Increase the fluid in the pressure bag

• Turn the stopcock off to the patient

• Replace the catheter immediately

What might cause an erratic waveform with highly variable pressure?

• Patient's high fever

• Incorrect medication dosage

• Low battery in the monitor

• Catheter Whip or Fling

What is a potential sign of pulmonary artery perforation?

• Sudden drop in blood pressure

• Hemoptysis or bloody secretions in the endotracheal tube

• Erratic heart rate

• Patient's high fever

What should be done immediately if hemoptysis is observed?

• Increase the oxygen flow

• Contact the provider immediately

• Ignore and monitor the patient

• Administer pain relief medication