Final answer:
Continuous mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) monitoring is achieved by replacing the current pulmonary artery catheter with one that has built-in reflective-oximetry capability.
Step-by-step explanation:
To ensure continuous monitoring of the patient's SvO2 (Mixed Venous Oxygen Saturation), it is recommended that the current pulmonary artery catheter be replaced with one that contains reflective-oximetry capability. This allows for continuous, real-time monitoring without the need for frequent invasive blood sampling.
Pulse oximeters are commonly used to monitor oxygen saturation non-invasively by clipping onto a thin part of the body, like a fingertip, to measure the percentage of oxygenated hemoglobin. However, for continuous monitoring of SvO2, a more invasive method is required that involves a catheter with oximetry capability placed within the pulmonary artery. This method avoids the risks associated with frequent arterial blood sampling (option 4), which can cause patient discomfort and potential complications. Transcutaneous oxygen monitoring (option 5) is typically used for neonatal patients and does not provide continuous SvO2 levels required for adults in critical care situations.