(^76) Medical-Surgical Nursing Demystified
HOW DOES THE TEST WORK?
A balloon-tipped catheter is inserted into the pulmonary artery, usually through the
femoral artery. It is able to measure pressures in the heart’s various chambers and
vessels.
WHAT TO DO?
Before the test:
- Obtain written consent from the patient to ensure he or she understands risks
and benefits. - Explain the test to the patient.
After the test: - Determine if there is bleeding at the injection site.
- Determine if there is infection at the injection site, redness, warmth, swelling,
or discomfort. - Examine for complications: air embolus, arrhythmia, and clots. Assess for
decrease in respiratory effort, increase in respiratory rate, dyspnea.
Chest X-ray
WHY IS IT GIVEN?
Chest x-rays are done to detect size and position of the heart and structural abnor-
malities of the lungs.HOW DOES THE TEST WORK?
An x-ray machine directs x-rays through the chest and onto film positioned behind
the patient’s back. As x-rays are directed to the patient, some are absorbed by the
body and others pass through to the x-ray film. Areas of the body that absorb
x-rays appear light on the x-ray film. Dark areas on the film represent x-rays that
passed through the body.