Objectives

Upon completing this course, the learner will:

1. Discuss cardiac physiology as it relates to blood flow and hemodynamic monitoring.

2. Understand the terminology and normal values associated with hemodynamic monitoring.

3. Review methods of noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring.

4. Describe components, and purposes, of invasive monitoring, including arterial, central venous and pulmonary artery catheters.

5. Discuss issues related to nursing care for patients with invasive hemodynamic catheters.