A pulmonary artery catheter introduced via the antecubital route is currently at the 50-cm mark and is showing the tracing below.Is there a problem with this catheter?

A) Yes; the balloon has ruptured.
B) No; it's in the pulmonary artery.
C) Yes; it's knotted in the right ventricle.
D) No; it's wedged in a pulmonary capillary.

Question

A pulmonary artery catheter introduced via the antecubital route is currently at the 50-cm mark and is showing the tracing below.Is there a problem with this catheter?

A) Yes; the balloon has ruptured. 
B) No; it's in the pulmonary artery. 
C) Yes; it's knotted in the right ventricle. 
D) No; it's wedged in a pulmonary capillary.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When a pulmonary artery catheter is introduced through the antecubital route,the distance required to enter the pulmonary artery is between 40 and 50 cm.A catheter in at the 50-cm mark should be showing a pulmonary artery tracing.This waveform is a right ventricular waveform.Therefore,the catheter must be knotted in the right ventricle.

A Pulmonary Artery Catheter Introduced Via the Antecubital Route Is