Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS) Practice Exam

When the pulmonary artery pressure tracing appears dampened, what is the next action?

1. Adjust the medication dosage

2. Check the patient's vitals

3. Flush the catheter

4. Notify the attending physician

The correct answer is: Flush the catheter

When the pulmonary artery pressure tracing appears dampened, flushing the catheter is the appropriate next action. A dampened tracing often suggests that there may be a blockage or that the catheter tip is not adequately positioned. Flushing the catheter can help clear any potential obstructions, allowing for better pressure signal transmission and more accurate readings. It's essential to ensure that accurate hemodynamic monitoring is maintained, and flushing can provide immediate clarification if a blockage is present. The other actions, while important in various clinical contexts, do not address the immediate concern of dampened pressure readings. Adjusting medication dosage without understanding the underlying reason for the dampened waveform could lead to inappropriate treatment changes. Checking the patient's vitals is a valuable step in general monitoring but does not directly resolve the issue with the pressure tracing itself. Notifying the attending physician is certainly important in complex situations, but initial troubleshooting should focus on the catheter and pressure monitoring system.