A patient with cardiogenic pulmonary edema has had intravascular catheters placed for monitoring purposes. Which of the following values would be expected?
1) Decreased SV
2) Increased PCWP
3) Increased CVP
4) Decreased RAP

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In cardiogenic pulmonary edema, there is typically a decrease in stroke volume (SV) due to impaired cardiac function. This leads to an increase in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and central venous pressure (CVP) as the heart struggles to pump effectively, causing fluid to back up into the lungs and the venous system. Right atrial pressure (RAP) is essentially another term for CVP, so it would not be decreased; hence, option 4 is not consistent with cardiogenic pulmonary edema.

A Patient with Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema Has Had Intravascular Catheters