Anesthesia Technologist Practice Exam

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Prepare for your Anesthesia Technologist Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

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What does it indicate if an RV waveform is still present at the 20 cm mark after the initial RV pattern appears?

The catheter is positioned correctly
The catheter may have become coiled in the RV
The patient has experienced cardiac arrest
The waveform represents pulmonary artery pressure

The correct answer is: The catheter may have become coiled in the RV

When an RV (right ventricular) waveform is still present at the 20 cm mark after the initial RV pattern appears, it suggests that the catheter may have become coiled within the right ventricle. In a properly positioned catheter, the waveform would typically change or dissipate as the catheter moves beyond the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery. A persistent RV waveform at this point indicates that the catheter is not advancing as expected, potentially leading to incorrect patient management or interpretation of the hemodynamic status. This scenario is critical to recognize because if the catheter is coiled, it could impact both the reliability of the measurements taken and the safety of the patient, as it may be indicative of improper placement or complication during placement. Understanding this phenomenon is essential for anesthesia technologists to troubleshoot and address catheter positioning effectively.