Essentials of Critical Care Nursing
Chapter 5 Hemodynamics Exam Actual
Questions and Answers 2026
Rationale 1: The system needs to be assessed first.
Rationale 2: The placement of the transducer is essential for
accurate measurement. It must be level with the phlebostatic axis
in order for the monitoring system to be accurate.
Rationale 3: This is not a normal variation between the two
methods of measurement.
Rationale 4: More information and data are needed before
administering medication therapy. -
correct answer ✅A patient has a blood pressure of 134/70 per
blood pressure cuff and a blood pressure of 90/50 per arterial line.
The nurse should:
1. Discontinue the arterial line immediately.
2. Check the level of the transducer and relevel and rezero the
system.
3. Do nothing because this is a normal variation between the two
methods of measurement.
4. Begin the infusion of a dopamine drip.
Correct Answer: 2
,Essentials of Critical Care Nursing
Chapter 5 Hemodynamics Exam Actual
Questions and Answers 2026
Rationale 1: A measurement in mm Hg is used to measure pressure
only.
Rationale 2: The pulmonary system is a low-pressure system. The
pressure of the vascular system is measured in dynes/sec/cm2 due
to factors of flow, resistance, and time. This is the normal value for
pulmonary vascular resistance.
Rationale 3: A measurement in mm Hg is used to measure pressure
only.
Rationale 4: This is the value for SVR. -
correct answer ✅The nurse is monitoring a patient's pulmonary
vascular resistance. Which value is the normal value?
1. 100-250 mm Hg
2. 10-250 dynes/sec/cm2
3. 400-800 mm Hg
4. 800-1,400 dynes/sec/cm2
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Furosemide (Lasix) is a diuretic that reduces fluid
volume and is a mild vasodilator. The systemic vascular resistance
will be further decreased.
, Essentials of Critical Care Nursing
Chapter 5 Hemodynamics Exam Actual
Questions and Answers 2026
Rationale 2: Furosemide (Lasix) is a diuretic that reduces fluid
volume and is a mild vasodilator. The systemic vascular resistance
will be further decreased.
Rationale 3: If the SVR is low, there is massive peripheral
vasodilation. These meds will increase vasomotor tone as well as
increase blood pressure.
Rationale 4: Nitroglycerin is a potent vasodilator. The systemic
vascular resistance will be further decreased. -
correct answer ✅A patient's systemic vascular resistance (SVR) has
dangerously decreased. The nurse would expect to administer
which medications?
1. Furosemide (Lasix) and dopamine
2. Nitroprusside and furosemide (Lasix)
3. Dopamine and norepinephrine (Levophed)
4. Nitroglycerin and digoxin (Lanoxin)
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Excessive sedation contributes to a higher than normal
SVO2 level due to a lower level of oxygen extracted by the tissues.
Rationale 2: This would not influence the patient's blood levels of
oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Chapter 5 Hemodynamics Exam Actual
Questions and Answers 2026
Rationale 1: The system needs to be assessed first.
Rationale 2: The placement of the transducer is essential for
accurate measurement. It must be level with the phlebostatic axis
in order for the monitoring system to be accurate.
Rationale 3: This is not a normal variation between the two
methods of measurement.
Rationale 4: More information and data are needed before
administering medication therapy. -
correct answer ✅A patient has a blood pressure of 134/70 per
blood pressure cuff and a blood pressure of 90/50 per arterial line.
The nurse should:
1. Discontinue the arterial line immediately.
2. Check the level of the transducer and relevel and rezero the
system.
3. Do nothing because this is a normal variation between the two
methods of measurement.
4. Begin the infusion of a dopamine drip.
Correct Answer: 2
,Essentials of Critical Care Nursing
Chapter 5 Hemodynamics Exam Actual
Questions and Answers 2026
Rationale 1: A measurement in mm Hg is used to measure pressure
only.
Rationale 2: The pulmonary system is a low-pressure system. The
pressure of the vascular system is measured in dynes/sec/cm2 due
to factors of flow, resistance, and time. This is the normal value for
pulmonary vascular resistance.
Rationale 3: A measurement in mm Hg is used to measure pressure
only.
Rationale 4: This is the value for SVR. -
correct answer ✅The nurse is monitoring a patient's pulmonary
vascular resistance. Which value is the normal value?
1. 100-250 mm Hg
2. 10-250 dynes/sec/cm2
3. 400-800 mm Hg
4. 800-1,400 dynes/sec/cm2
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Furosemide (Lasix) is a diuretic that reduces fluid
volume and is a mild vasodilator. The systemic vascular resistance
will be further decreased.
, Essentials of Critical Care Nursing
Chapter 5 Hemodynamics Exam Actual
Questions and Answers 2026
Rationale 2: Furosemide (Lasix) is a diuretic that reduces fluid
volume and is a mild vasodilator. The systemic vascular resistance
will be further decreased.
Rationale 3: If the SVR is low, there is massive peripheral
vasodilation. These meds will increase vasomotor tone as well as
increase blood pressure.
Rationale 4: Nitroglycerin is a potent vasodilator. The systemic
vascular resistance will be further decreased. -
correct answer ✅A patient's systemic vascular resistance (SVR) has
dangerously decreased. The nurse would expect to administer
which medications?
1. Furosemide (Lasix) and dopamine
2. Nitroprusside and furosemide (Lasix)
3. Dopamine and norepinephrine (Levophed)
4. Nitroglycerin and digoxin (Lanoxin)
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Excessive sedation contributes to a higher than normal
SVO2 level due to a lower level of oxygen extracted by the tissues.
Rationale 2: This would not influence the patient's blood levels of
oxygen and carbon dioxide.
