Final answer:
In a patient with pulmonary edema, frequent monitoring of blood pressure and oxygen saturation is critical, with additional assessments for heart and breathing sounds. In critical cases, invasive pressure monitoring may be utilized.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient is admitted with pulmonary edema, there are several parameters that need to be monitored closely due to the risk of life-threatening symptoms. One of the key vital signs that need to be measured every 15-30 minutes is the blood pressure. This is because blood pressure can reflect the status of the patient's circulatory system and can indicate how well the heart is functioning, particularly the left ventricle which is often associated with pulmonary edema when it fails to pump blood effectively.
In addition to blood pressure, monitoring oxygen saturation using pulse oximetry is essential because pulmonary edema compromises gas exchange in the lungs, leading to hypoxemia. Healthcare professionals may also listen to the lungs with a stethoscope for any abnormal sounds such as crackling, which could indicate the presence of excess fluid in the air sacs.
In cases where pulmonary edema is severe or in an intensive care setting, invasive monitoring of pressures within the cardiac and pulmonary systems using catheters may be necessary to gauge the extent of the condition and the effectiveness of interventions.