Vascular pressures and critical care management.
The circulation of blood in the body is a closed system dependent on the heart as a pump and the vessels for movement. Movement or flow of blood is dependent on pressure gradients and resistance within the vessels. Changes in one part of the system affect other parts of the system. Changes in the flow of blood can be calculated by monitoring pressures. Changes in the pressures in remote parts of the system can be calculated by measurement of pressures in accessible parts of the system (for instance, the radial artery). Pressure monitoring at the bedside can provide valuable objective data to help determine appropriate nursing care. An understanding of the relationship between parts of the circulatory system and of the intravascular pressures strengthens the ability of nurses to give expert patient care.
D001775:Blood Circulation; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000379:methods; D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation; D012039:Regional Blood Flow