Hemodynamic Basics
A nurse is reviewing cardiovascular concepts. Which term best describes the volume of blood pumped by the heart each minute?
A. Cardiac output
B. Stroke volume
C. Ejection fraction
A. Cardiac output
Which invasive device allows for continuous, beat-to-beat blood pressure monitoring?
A. Central venous catheter
B. Pulmonary artery catheter
C. Arterial line
C. Arterial line
A nurse reviews lab results showing low oxygen levels in arterial blood. Which term correctly describes this finding?
A. Hypoxia
B. Hypoxemia
C. Hypercapnia
B. Hypoxemia
A patient with pneumonia is tachypneic and using accessory muscles. This reflects an increase in which parameter?
A. Work of breathing
B. Lung compliance
C. Tidal volume
A. Work of breathing
A patient has severe hypoxemia with a normal PaCO₂. Which type of respiratory failure does this represent?
A. Hypoxemic respiratory failure (Type I)
B. Hypercapnic respiratory failure (Type II)
C. Mixed respiratory failure
A. Hypoxemic respiratory failure (Type I)
A patient’s preload is increased after a fluid bolus. Which physiologic principle explains the resulting increase in cardiac output?
A. Afterload reduction
B. Frank–Starling law
C. Ventricular compliance
B. Frank–Starling law
The nurse levels an invasive pressure transducer at which anatomical landmark to ensure accuracy?
A. Midsternal line
B. Phlebostatic axis
C. Carotid artery
B. Phlebostatic axis
Which arterial blood gas value reflects the amount of oxygen dissolved in arterial blood?
A. SaO₂
B. PaO₂
C. SpO₂
B. PaO₂
Which respiratory variable describes the ability of the lungs and chest wall to stretch?
A. Airway resistance
B. Compliance
C. Minute ventilation
B. Compliance
A patient with COPD has CO₂ retention and respiratory acidosis. This indicates which type of respiratory failure?
A. Hypoxemic
B. Hypercapnic
C. Restrictive
B. Hypercapnic
A nurse records a patient’s central venous pressure at end-expiration. This measurement primarily reflects which parameter?
A. Left ventricular contractility
B. Systemic vascular resistance
C. Right atrial pressure
C. Right atrial pressure
While analyzing an arterial waveform, the nurse identifies a notch following systole. This indicates which event?
A. Ventricular contraction
B. Aortic valve closure
C. Ventricular filling
B. Aortic valve closure
A nurse explains to a student the relationship between oxygen saturation and PaO₂. Which curve illustrates this relationship?
A. Oxygen–carbon dioxide curve
B. Ventilation–perfusion curve
C. Oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve
C. Oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve
A nurse caring for a patient with bronchospasm recognizes that airflow obstruction is related to increased:
A. Compliance
B. Tidal volume
C. Airway resistance
C. Airway resistance
Which clinical finding most strongly suggests worsening respiratory failure?
A. Mild tachycardia
B. Increased use of accessory muscles
C. Occasional coughing
B. Increased use of accessory muscles
Which measurement provides a more accurate reflection of cardiac performance by accounting for patient body size?
A. Cardiac index
B. Cardiac output
C. Mean arterial pressure
A. Cardiac index
Which pulmonary artery catheter measurement best reflects left ventricular end-diastolic pressure?
A. CVP
B. PA systolic pressure
C. PAOP (wedge pressure)
C. PAOP (wedge pressure)
The nurse anticipates that a PaO₂ of 60 mm Hg correlates with approximately which oxygen saturation?
A. 80%
B. 85%
C. 90%
C. 90%
Which lung volume represents air remaining in the lungs after normal expiration?
A. Functional residual capacity
B. Residual volume
C. Vital capacity
A. Functional residual capacity
A nurse suspects ARDS in a mechanically ventilated patient. Which feature is most characteristic of this condition?
A. Refractory hypoxemia
B. Increased lung compliance
C. Isolated hypercapnia
A. Refractory hypoxemia
A patient with severe hypertension has an increased resistance against ventricular ejection. This describes an increase in which factor?
A. Preload
B. Afterload
C. Contractility
B. Afterload
A pulmonary artery catheter balloon is accidentally left inflated too long. The nurse recognizes risk for which complication?
A. Pulmonary artery rupture
B. Cardiac tamponade
C. Systemic hypertension
A. Pulmonary artery rupture
Which physiologic condition shifts the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to the right, promoting oxygen release to tissues?
A. Acidosis
B. Hypothermia
C. Alkalosis
A. Acidosis
A patient with prolonged tachypnea becomes fatigued and hypoventilates. The nurse recognizes this as:
A. Improved ventilation
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Respiratory muscle fatigue
C. Respiratory muscle fatigue
Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) improves oxygenation primarily by:
A. Increasing respiratory rate
B. Preventing alveolar collapse
C. Reducing airway resistance
B. Preventing alveolar collapse