The nurse is monitoring the Pulmonary Artery (PA) catheter and notes a central venous pressure reading of 15mmHg. The nurse anticipates administering the patient which medication?

Choice A rationale Ativan is a benzodiazepine used primarily for sedation or to treat anxiety and seizures. It has no direct effect on reducing central venous pressure or managing fluid volume overload. A central venous pressure of 15 mmHg is elevated, as the normal range is typically 2 to 8 mmHg. Administering a sedative would not address the physiological issue of excess preload or right-sided heart congestion indicated by the high pressure reading in this patient. Choice B rationale Albumin is a colloid used to expand intravascular volume by pulling fluid from the interstitial space into the vessels. Administering albumin would increase the central venous pressure further, which is dangerous in a patient who already shows signs of volume excess with a reading of 15 mmHg. This would worsen the strain on the heart and potentially lead to pulmonary edema. Normal range for central venous pressure is 2 to 8 mmHg. Choice C rationale Furosemide is a potent loop diuretic that increases the excretion of sodium and water by the kidneys. It is the appropriate treatment for a central venous pressure of 15 mmHg, which indicates fluid volume overload or right heart failure since the normal range is 2 to 8 mmHg. By inducing diuresis, furosemide reduces the total circulating blood volume and lowers the preload, thereby decreasing the central venous pressure and relieving the workload on the heart. Choice D rationale Digoxin is an inotropic agent used to increase the force of myocardial contraction and slow the heart rate in conditions like atrial fibrillation. While it can help with heart failure, it is not the first-line medication for an acute elevation in central venous pressure caused by volume overload. Diuresis is a more direct and faster way to lower the pressure reading of 15 mmHg back toward the normal range of 2 to 8 mmHg.