A nurse is assessing a client's pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP). The nurse should recognize that an elevated PAWP indicates which of the following complications?

Rationale: A. Hypovolemia: Hypovolemia causes a decrease in PAWP due to reduced circulating blood volume and inadequate venous return to the heart. A low PAWP reflects decreased left ventricular preload, not an elevated value. B. Hypotension: Hypotension alone does not directly increase PAWP. In fact, low blood pressure often accompanies decreased cardiac filling pressures. Elevated PAWP typically occurs with fluid overload or impaired ventricular function rather than simple hypotension. C. Left ventricular failure: An elevated PAWP indicates increased left-sided heart pressures due to ineffective left ventricular pumping. Blood backs up into the pulmonary circulation, leading to pulmonary congestion and edema. D. Cardiogenic shock: In cardiogenic shock, PAWP can be elevated due to impaired contractility, but it is accompanied by low cardiac output and hypotension. While related, the elevated PAWP in cardiogenic shock results from the underlying left ventricular failure, which is the primary cause of the pressure increase.