Pulmonary Artery Catheter: What You Need to Know to Safely Care for Your Patient

Activity Summary

Required reading for all learners: Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes

The pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) requires a high level of expertise to assure valid measurements, waveform identification and data integration. The nurse plays a key role in caring for the patient with a PAC. Continued education and skills development are imperative to ensure safe and effective care. This session provides a foundational approach to the use of the PAC, including indications for use, catheter insertion, identifying complications and employing evidence-based troubleshooting measures.

Objectives

Explain the components of the pulmonary artery catheter, including the components involved with the insertion of the catheter.
Distinguish between an RA, RV, PA and PAWP waveform.
Summarize the risks and complications associated with the insertion and management of a PA catheter.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Successful Completion

Learners must attend/view/read the entire activity and complete the associated evaluation to be awarded the contact hours or CERP. No partial credit will be awarded.

Disclosure

This activity has been reviewed by the Nurse Planner. It has been determined that the material presented here shows no bias. No conflicts of interest have been identified for any individual with the ability to influence the content of this activity. Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN or ANCC approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity.

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC's) Commission on Accreditation, ANCC Provider Number 0012. AACN has been approved as a provider of continuing education in nursing by the California State Board of Nursing (CBRN), California Provider number CEP 1036. This activity is approved for 1.00 contact hours.

AACN programming meets the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education contact hours for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting CE to fulfill continuing education requirements.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.