Introduction to the ICU Flashcards
t/f: there can be profound weakness and delirium w/o early mobility
true
t/f: it is now realized that early mobility in the ICU improves outcomes, decreased complications, and improves QoL after the ICU
true
what three body systems are we monitoring in the ICU?
cardiac system
pulmonary system
neurologic system
what do we monitor in the cardiac system in the ICU?
electrical activity of the heart
BP
right arterial pressure (RAP)
left arterial pressure (LAP)
central venous pressure (CVP)
how is electrical activity of the heart monitored in the ICU?
electrocardiogram (ECG)
how is BP monitored in the ICU?
automated cuff (noninvasive)
arterial line (invasive)
what pressures can be monitored with a central venous catheter (CVC)?
central venous pressure (CVP)
R arterial pressure (RAP)
what pressures can be monitored with a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC)?
central venous pressure (CVP)
R arterial pressure (RAP)
L arterial pressure (LAP)
can L arterial pressure (LAP) be measured directly?
no, it is measured indirectly
what is the only way LAP can be measured?
with a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC)
what is an arterial line?
a catheter going directly into an artery
what are the insertion sites for arterial lines?
radial artery
femoral artery
sometimes other sites when the radial and femoral are poor quality
what is the most common insertion site for arterial lines?
radial artery
what are the uses for arterial lines?
continuous BP monitoring
frequent ABGs
frequent clinical lab tests
drug administration
where does the pressure transducer have to be kept with arterial lines?
in line with the RA (4th intercostal space and mid axillary line)
is elevation in arterial pressure associated with systole or diastole?
systole
t/f: peaks and troughs with an a-line should be correlated to EKG trace
true
if the peaks of an a line trace look depressed, what may be going on?
you may not be getting an accurate reading and you should look at the placement of the transducer
if the transducer of an a line is too high, would the BP read higher or lower than normal?
lower BP
if the transducer of an a line is too low, would the BP read higher or lower than normal?
higher BP
t/f: we should avoid WB on the arm with the a line
true
can we mobilize someone with a femoral a line?
yes, but we need to take additional steps to ensure pt safety
if an a line is dislodged, what should we do?
elevate the limb and apply pressure to stop the bleeding bc it is a high pressure system
what does central venous pressure measure?
BP in the proximal vena cava close to the RA