The nurse is preparing to obtain a pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP)reading for a patient who is mechanically ventilated.Ensuring that the air-fluid interface is at the level of the phlebostatic axis,what is the best nursing action?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pressures are highest when measured at end exhalation in the spontaneously breathing patient.In mechanically ventilated patients,pressures increase with inhalation and decrease with exhalation.Measurements are obtained just before the increase in pressure during inhalation.Supine positioning is contraindicated in the mechanically ventilated patient.The head of bed should be elevated to 30 degrees.Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure is not averaged,but measured during inhalation in the mechanically ventilated patient while appropriate positioning is maintained.

The Nurse Is Preparing to Obtain a Pulmonary Artery Occlusion