,BKAT Pulmonary Artery Catheters 150 QUESTION s with Answers and
Rationales PRACTICE EXAM REVIEWS WITH COMPLETE ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTION S AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+
(MOST RECENT!!)
QUESTION 1: What anatomical landmark defines the phlebostatic axis,
which must be aligned with the transducer air-fluid interface for
accurate hemodynamic monitoring?
• A) Fourth intercostal space at the midaxillary line
• B) Second intercostal space at the midclavicular line
• C) Fifth intercostal space at the left sternal border
• D) Third intercostal space at the anterior axillary line
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The phlebostatic axis corresponds to the level of the right
atrium (4th intercostal space, midaxillary line) and is the standard
reference point for zeroing transducers.
QUESTION 2: As a pulmonary artery catheter is advanced through the
right side of the heart, what characteristic pressure waveform does the
nurse observe immediately upon entering the right ventricle?
• A) A sharp increase in systolic pressure (up to 25 mmHg) with a
near-zero diastolic pressure
• B) A low-pressure waveform with small a, c, and v waves (mean 2-
6 mmHg)
• C) A sudden drop in diastolic pressure with a dicrotic notch
, • D) A high mean pressure with a steady plateau reading
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: RV pressure waveforms show a sharp systolic rise (around 15-
25 mmHg) dropping down to near 0-5 mmHg during diastole,
contrasting with the lower-pressure RA and higher-pressure PA
waveforms.
QUESTION 3: What does the Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure (PAWP
/ PCWP) primarily measure?
• A) Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and left atrial
filling pressures
• B) Right ventricular contractility and stroke volume
• C) Systemic vascular resistance (SVR)
• D) Total pulmonary blood flow
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: PAWP reflects left atrial pressure and serves as a reliable
indirect estimate of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (preload of
the left heart) when the mitral valve is open.
QUESTION 4: What life-threatening dysrhythmia is most commonly
associated with the insertion or accidental migration of a pulmonary
artery catheter into the right ventricle?
• A) Ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation
• B) Symptomatic sinus bradycardia
• C) Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response
, • D) Third-degree heart block
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The physical presence of the catheter tip floating or coiling in
the right ventricle can irritate the myocardium, frequently precipitating
ventricular ectopy, ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation.
QUESTION 5: What is the normal expected range for Mean Pulmonary
Artery Pressure (mPAP) in a healthy adult?
• A) 10 to 20 mmHg
• B) 2 to 6 mmHg
• C) 50 to 80 mmHg
• D) 90 to 140 mmHg
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Normal pulmonary artery pressures are approximately
systolic 20-30 mmHg, diastolic 8-15 mmHg, and mean 10-20 mmHg.
QUESTION 6: What major risk is associated with leaving the pulmonary
artery catheter balloon inflated in the "wedge" position for an extended
period (> 15-30 seconds)?
• A) Pulmonary infarction or pulmonary artery rupture due to
prolonged vessel occlusion and distal ischemia
• B) Immediate severe systemic hypertension
• C) Total systemic air embolism to the brain
• D) Rupture of the right ventricular free wall
Correct Answer: A
Rationales PRACTICE EXAM REVIEWS WITH COMPLETE ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTION S AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+
(MOST RECENT!!)
QUESTION 1: What anatomical landmark defines the phlebostatic axis,
which must be aligned with the transducer air-fluid interface for
accurate hemodynamic monitoring?
• A) Fourth intercostal space at the midaxillary line
• B) Second intercostal space at the midclavicular line
• C) Fifth intercostal space at the left sternal border
• D) Third intercostal space at the anterior axillary line
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The phlebostatic axis corresponds to the level of the right
atrium (4th intercostal space, midaxillary line) and is the standard
reference point for zeroing transducers.
QUESTION 2: As a pulmonary artery catheter is advanced through the
right side of the heart, what characteristic pressure waveform does the
nurse observe immediately upon entering the right ventricle?
• A) A sharp increase in systolic pressure (up to 25 mmHg) with a
near-zero diastolic pressure
• B) A low-pressure waveform with small a, c, and v waves (mean 2-
6 mmHg)
• C) A sudden drop in diastolic pressure with a dicrotic notch
, • D) A high mean pressure with a steady plateau reading
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: RV pressure waveforms show a sharp systolic rise (around 15-
25 mmHg) dropping down to near 0-5 mmHg during diastole,
contrasting with the lower-pressure RA and higher-pressure PA
waveforms.
QUESTION 3: What does the Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure (PAWP
/ PCWP) primarily measure?
• A) Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and left atrial
filling pressures
• B) Right ventricular contractility and stroke volume
• C) Systemic vascular resistance (SVR)
• D) Total pulmonary blood flow
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: PAWP reflects left atrial pressure and serves as a reliable
indirect estimate of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (preload of
the left heart) when the mitral valve is open.
QUESTION 4: What life-threatening dysrhythmia is most commonly
associated with the insertion or accidental migration of a pulmonary
artery catheter into the right ventricle?
• A) Ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation
• B) Symptomatic sinus bradycardia
• C) Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response
, • D) Third-degree heart block
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The physical presence of the catheter tip floating or coiling in
the right ventricle can irritate the myocardium, frequently precipitating
ventricular ectopy, ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation.
QUESTION 5: What is the normal expected range for Mean Pulmonary
Artery Pressure (mPAP) in a healthy adult?
• A) 10 to 20 mmHg
• B) 2 to 6 mmHg
• C) 50 to 80 mmHg
• D) 90 to 140 mmHg
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Normal pulmonary artery pressures are approximately
systolic 20-30 mmHg, diastolic 8-15 mmHg, and mean 10-20 mmHg.
QUESTION 6: What major risk is associated with leaving the pulmonary
artery catheter balloon inflated in the "wedge" position for an extended
period (> 15-30 seconds)?
• A) Pulmonary infarction or pulmonary artery rupture due to
prolonged vessel occlusion and distal ischemia
• B) Immediate severe systemic hypertension
• C) Total systemic air embolism to the brain
• D) Rupture of the right ventricular free wall
Correct Answer: A
