Question

The charge nurse is supervising care for a group of patients monitored with a variety of invasive hemodynamic devices. Which patient should the charge nurse evaluate first?

Answer 1

The charge nurse should evaluate the patient with the most critical hemodynamic device first.

Step-by-step explanation:

The charge nurse should evaluate the patient with the most critical hemodynamic device first. Hemodynamic devices are used to measure the pressures in the cardiovascular system, such as arterial and central venous pressures, and can help assess a patient's cardiac function and fluid status. Invasive hemodynamic devices, like catheters, are inserted into appropriate locations to transmit pressures to external measuring devices.

For example: If a patient has an arterial line and a central venous catheter, but the arterial line is measuring significantly unstable pressures, it would be important for the charge nurse to evaluate this patient first to address any potential cardiovascular emergencies.