After pulmonary artery catheter insertion,the nurse assesses a pulmonary artery pressure of 45/25 mm Hg,a pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP)of 20 mm Hg,a cardiac output of 2.6 L/min and a cardiac index of 1.9 L/min/m².Which physician order is of the highest priority?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pulmonary pressures are higher than normal,indicating elevated preload,and the cardiac index and output values are low.The priority order for the nurse to implement is to begin a dobutamine (Dobutrex)infusion to improve cardiac output,possibly reducing pulmonary artery occlusion pressures.The other treatments are important,but the dobutamine infusion is the most important at this time.

After Pulmonary Artery Catheter Insertion,the Nurse Assesses a Pulmonary Artery