Nursing 354 Hemodynamic Monitoring
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1. Which parameter is most directly used to assess the pressure generated by
the left ventricle during systole?
A. Central venous pressure
B. Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure
C. Systemic vascular resistance
D. Systolic blood pressure
Answer: Systolic blood pressure
Rationale: Systolic blood pressure reflects the arterial pressure generated during
ventricular contraction and provides information about left ventricular systolic
performance and systemic perfusion.
2. Which hemodynamic parameter best reflects right ventricular preload?
A. Central venous pressure
B. Systemic vascular resistance
,C. Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure
D. Cardiac output
Answer: Central venous pressure
Rationale: Central venous pressure estimates right atrial pressure and is
commonly used as an indicator of right ventricular preload.
3. A normal adult central venous pressure is approximately:
A. 0–2 mmHg
B. 2–6 mmHg
C. 8–12 mmHg
D. 15–20 mmHg
Answer: 2–6 mmHg
Rationale: Normal central venous pressure is generally about 2–6 mmHg,
although interpretation should always consider the patient's clinical condition.
4. Which finding would most strongly suggest decreased preload?
A. Elevated pulmonary artery occlusion pressure
B. Increased central venous pressure
C. Low central venous pressure with signs of hypovolemia
D. Increased systemic vascular resistance
Answer: Low central venous pressure with signs of hypovolemia
Rationale: Low filling pressures accompanied by clinical evidence of volume
depletion suggest inadequate preload.
5. The pulmonary artery catheter is commonly inserted through which vessel?
,A. Radial artery
B. Femoral artery
C. Carotid artery
D. Internal jugular vein
Answer: Internal jugular vein
Rationale: Pulmonary artery catheters are inserted through a central vein,
commonly the internal jugular or subclavian vein, and advanced through the
right heart into the pulmonary artery.
6. What is the primary purpose of the balloon at the tip of a pulmonary artery
catheter?
A. Measure systemic arterial pressure
B. Obtain pulmonary artery occlusion pressure
C. Measure oxygen saturation in the aorta
D. Prevent catheter migration
Answer: Obtain pulmonary artery occlusion pressure
Rationale: Brief balloon inflation allows the catheter to obtain pulmonary artery
occlusion pressure, which estimates left atrial pressure and left ventricular
preload.
7. Which pressure is most closely associated with left ventricular preload?
A. Central venous pressure
B. Mean arterial pressure
C. Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure
D. Systemic vascular resistance
Answer: Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure
Rationale: Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure indirectly estimates left atrial
pressure and can provide an estimate of left ventricular filling pressure.
, 8. Which action is appropriate when obtaining a pulmonary artery occlusion
pressure?
A. Leave the balloon inflated continuously
B. Inflate the balloon for several minutes
C. Inflate the balloon briefly according to institutional protocol
D. Inflate the balloon whenever blood pressure decreases
Answer: Inflate the balloon briefly according to institutional protocol
Rationale: The balloon should be inflated only briefly and when needed because
prolonged inflation can impair pulmonary blood flow and increase the risk of
pulmonary artery injury.
9. Which hemodynamic parameter represents the amount of blood pumped by
the heart each minute?
A. Stroke volume
B. Ejection fraction
C. Cardiac output
D. Cardiac index
Answer: Cardiac output
Rationale: Cardiac output is the volume of blood pumped by the heart in one
minute.
10. Cardiac output is calculated by multiplying:
A. Blood pressure × heart rate
B. Preload × afterload
C. Heart rate × stroke volume
D. Stroke volume × systemic vascular resistance
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
1. Which parameter is most directly used to assess the pressure generated by
the left ventricle during systole?
A. Central venous pressure
B. Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure
C. Systemic vascular resistance
D. Systolic blood pressure
Answer: Systolic blood pressure
Rationale: Systolic blood pressure reflects the arterial pressure generated during
ventricular contraction and provides information about left ventricular systolic
performance and systemic perfusion.
2. Which hemodynamic parameter best reflects right ventricular preload?
A. Central venous pressure
B. Systemic vascular resistance
,C. Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure
D. Cardiac output
Answer: Central venous pressure
Rationale: Central venous pressure estimates right atrial pressure and is
commonly used as an indicator of right ventricular preload.
3. A normal adult central venous pressure is approximately:
A. 0–2 mmHg
B. 2–6 mmHg
C. 8–12 mmHg
D. 15–20 mmHg
Answer: 2–6 mmHg
Rationale: Normal central venous pressure is generally about 2–6 mmHg,
although interpretation should always consider the patient's clinical condition.
4. Which finding would most strongly suggest decreased preload?
A. Elevated pulmonary artery occlusion pressure
B. Increased central venous pressure
C. Low central venous pressure with signs of hypovolemia
D. Increased systemic vascular resistance
Answer: Low central venous pressure with signs of hypovolemia
Rationale: Low filling pressures accompanied by clinical evidence of volume
depletion suggest inadequate preload.
5. The pulmonary artery catheter is commonly inserted through which vessel?
,A. Radial artery
B. Femoral artery
C. Carotid artery
D. Internal jugular vein
Answer: Internal jugular vein
Rationale: Pulmonary artery catheters are inserted through a central vein,
commonly the internal jugular or subclavian vein, and advanced through the
right heart into the pulmonary artery.
6. What is the primary purpose of the balloon at the tip of a pulmonary artery
catheter?
A. Measure systemic arterial pressure
B. Obtain pulmonary artery occlusion pressure
C. Measure oxygen saturation in the aorta
D. Prevent catheter migration
Answer: Obtain pulmonary artery occlusion pressure
Rationale: Brief balloon inflation allows the catheter to obtain pulmonary artery
occlusion pressure, which estimates left atrial pressure and left ventricular
preload.
7. Which pressure is most closely associated with left ventricular preload?
A. Central venous pressure
B. Mean arterial pressure
C. Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure
D. Systemic vascular resistance
Answer: Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure
Rationale: Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure indirectly estimates left atrial
pressure and can provide an estimate of left ventricular filling pressure.
, 8. Which action is appropriate when obtaining a pulmonary artery occlusion
pressure?
A. Leave the balloon inflated continuously
B. Inflate the balloon for several minutes
C. Inflate the balloon briefly according to institutional protocol
D. Inflate the balloon whenever blood pressure decreases
Answer: Inflate the balloon briefly according to institutional protocol
Rationale: The balloon should be inflated only briefly and when needed because
prolonged inflation can impair pulmonary blood flow and increase the risk of
pulmonary artery injury.
9. Which hemodynamic parameter represents the amount of blood pumped by
the heart each minute?
A. Stroke volume
B. Ejection fraction
C. Cardiac output
D. Cardiac index
Answer: Cardiac output
Rationale: Cardiac output is the volume of blood pumped by the heart in one
minute.
10. Cardiac output is calculated by multiplying:
A. Blood pressure × heart rate
B. Preload × afterload
C. Heart rate × stroke volume
D. Stroke volume × systemic vascular resistance
