Thu11November0627PM 4

Which of the following is true regarding intra-arterial blood pressure monitoring?

(Please select 1 option)

Shortening the length of tubing has a dampening effect

The transducer should be at the same height as the catheter insertion point

Fluid-filled tubing conducts the intravascular pressure wave from the catheter tip to the transducer Correct

Air bubbles cause a hyper-resonant trace

Non-pressurised fluid is infused through the catheter

Explanation

Invasive arterial pressure monitoring provides beat-to-beat information with sustained accuracy.

The intravascular pressure wave is conducted from the catheter tip, (situated in the arterial lumen), to the transducer, along fluid-filled tubing. Pressurised fluid is infused through the catheter continuously.

The transducer is usually a strain gauge variable resistor, which is connected to an amplifier and oscilloscope. The transducer should be placed at the height of the left atrium at all times.

Air bubbles and long catheter tubing have the effect of dampening the trace (waveform appears rounded). Increased damping usually lowers the systolic pressure and elevates the diastolic pressure.

Answer Statistics

1

5%

2

3%

3

88%

4

5%

5

2%

Times answered: 256