Page 137 - AACN Essentials of Critical-Care Nursing Pocket Handbook, Second Edition

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Note ECG during CO determinations. Try to inject during a stable period. Increase the number of CO determinations. Obtain x-ray film to determine position of tip. Advance catheter tip away from pulmonic value. Increase the number of CO determination
Action Use iced temperature injectate to increase signal/noise ratio. Press start button after injection completed to delay computer

Troubleshooting Problems with Thermodilution Cardiac Output Measurements (continued)

Cardiac arrhythmias (PVC, AF, etc) Marked movement of catheter tip Marked variation in PA baseline temperature Curve prematurely terminated Right-to-left shunt
Cause Abbreviations: AV, atrioventricular; CO, cardiac output; CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation; ECG, electrocardiogram; IV, intravenous; NSR, normal sinus rhythm; MAT, multifocal atrial tachycardia; PAC, premature atr

Problem Irregular downslope ventricular tachycardia. Philadelphia, PA: JB Lippincott; 1989:465.

of CO curve
4.20