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 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 1.00 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.