Question

Which of the following statements regarding central venous pressure monitoring is TRUE?

A) The "a wave" is generated during contraction of the ventricles.
B) CVP monitoring is necessary for calculation of CO by thermodilution.
C) CVP monitors are properly placed with the tip at the junction between the superior vena cava and the right atrium.
D) CVP reflects fluid status and is the best guide for fluid therapy.

Answer 1

The true statement about central venous pressure monitoring is that CVP monitors are placed at the junction between the superior vena cava and the right atrium.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement regarding central venous pressure (CVP) monitoring is: CVP monitors are properly placed with the tip at the junction between the superior vena cava and the right atrium. The 'a wave' in venous pressure tracings corresponds to atrial contraction, which occurs after the P wave of the ECG, not during ventricular contraction which correlates with the QRS complex. Central venous pressure reflects several factors including fluid status, but it is not always the best guide for fluid therapy as it does not always correlate directly with volume responsiveness. Additionally, CVP monitoring alone does not provide enough data for the calculation of cardiac output (CO) by thermodilution; a thermodilution pulmonary artery catheter is required for these measurements.