Interpreting Pulmonary Artery Waveforms: Why You Can’t Just Take the Numbers from the Screen

Session Summary

This session is geared to nurses who have foundational knowledge of the use of pulmonary artery catheters (PACs) in adults. Cardiopulmonary disease can create abnormalities, making reading and interpreting hemodynamic waveforms from the PAC less than straightforward. Too much reliance on monitor values may result in clinicians missing or misunderstanding a clinical picture. Using case studies and waveform examples, participants have the opportunity to test and strengthen their skills at measuring waveforms in challenging situations independently of monitor interpretations.

Objectives

Distinguish wave components that make up central venous, pulmonary artery, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure waveforms.
Identify at least three factors which can lead to incorrect estimation of waveform pressures.
Calculate accurate values of hemodynamic waveforms using a systematic approach to interpretation.

Topics Hemodynamics

Population Adult

Role Staff

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Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Successful Completion

Learners must complete the entire activity and the associated evaluation to be awarded contact hours AND read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for 1.25 contact hours.

Disclosure

Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content will be identified by the Nurse Planner within the activity. Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content has been mitigated.

Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN, ANCC, or CBRN approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity.

Activities with pharmacology hours are to assist the APRN in fulfilling the pharmacotherapeutic education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Activities meet the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your own state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting your certificate of completion.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.