Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 90%
Simulated
A patient has been diagnosed with heart failure and cardiac output is decreased. Which formula can the nurse use to calculate cardiac output?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
The correct formula to calculate cardiac output is stroke volume times the heart rate. Cardiac output is the amount of blood the heart pumps in one minute, which is calculated by multiplying the stroke volume (amount of blood pumped by the heart with each beat) by the heart rate (number of heart beats per minute). This formula takes into account both the volume of blood pumped and the frequency of beats, providing an accurate measurement of cardiac output.
Option A is incorrect because it does not directly calculate cardiac output. Option B is incorrect as it relates to ventricular filling time, not cardiac output. Option D is incorrect as it involves preload and afterload, which are factors affecting cardiac output but not the direct calculation.
Option A is incorrect because it does not directly calculate cardiac output. Option B is incorrect as it relates to ventricular filling time, not cardiac output. Option D is incorrect as it involves preload and afterload, which are factors affecting cardiac output but not the direct calculation.