The nurse prepares the client for the insertion of a pulmonary artery catheter (Swan-Ganz catheter). The nurse teaches the client that the catheter will be inserted to provide information about:
A. Stroke volume
B. Cardiac output
C. Venous pressure
D. Left ventricular functioning
Correct Answer: D. Left ventricular functioning
The catheter is placed in the pulmonary artery. Information regarding left ventricular function is obtained when the catheter balloon is inflated.
Option A: Stroke volume is calculated using measurements of ventricle volumes from an echocardiogram and subtracting the volume of the blood in the ventricle at the end of a beat (called end-systolic volume) from the volume of blood just prior to the beat (called end-diastolic volume).
Option B: Cardiac output is calculated by multiplying the stroke volume by the heart rate.
Option C: The CVP can be measured either manually using a manometer or electronically using a transducer.