Monitoring Arterial Blood Pressure: What You May Not Know Available to Purchase

Arterial blood pressure (ABP), a basic hemodynamic index, is often used to guide therapeutic interventions in critically ill patients. Inaccurate ABP measuring may cause misdiagnosis and mismanagement. Because of a knowledge deficit related to hemodynamic and ABP monitoring, the authors discuss ABP physiology, factors that affect ABP, and the arterial pressure waveform and its interpretation in clinical situations.

Arterial blood pressure (ABP) is a basic hemodynamic index often utilized to guide therapeutic interventions, especially in critically ill patients. Inaccurate ABP measuring creates a potential for misdiagnosis and mismanagement. The results of a recent pilot study¹ at 2 university-affiliated hospitals suggested a knowledge deficit in arterial pressure monitoring and some of the most basic aspects of hemodynamic monitoring. A total of 391 critical care nurses practicing in various critical care specialties were invited to participate in the study. The response rate was 17.4% (n = 68). Most of the participants...