Hemodynamics

i was never asked one clinical question....see if you can find someone from that program...they will know better what kind of questions you will have.

I think that even if you do not need to know about certain hemodynamics for your interview, that knowing them will only benefit you in your ICU practice and knowledge in general. Even if the docs at your facility do not utilize the information from your PA cath, I think it is important for ICU nurses to know it anyway. So, I say, go ahead and review all the hemodynamic parameters whether you need to or not. You can never learn too much!

I agree you should go ahead and review that info. Understanding the basic concepts behind the HDs keeps you from having to memorize. Plus the names of all the parameters are big clues about the info you are being given. Also remember that index values just mean patient specific, they take into consideration the patient's body size, therefore the number is "indexed". If you know those basic concepts and remain calm, you can find your way to the answer. And if you can't, be truthful and say you don't know. Most interviewers would rather hear that than a bs answer.

Good Luck!

I don't know many who use the specific hemodynamics you are talking about. Generally, we care about the basics in the unit where I work. PAP's, CVP, CO/CI, HR, b.p, svr. But most importantly, don't forget to mention that you would look at and assess your patient. Hemodynamics are important, but looking at your patient and combining that assessment with your hemodynamics is more important. Stroke volume is very useful for contractility, though we don't use it much.

From my interviewing experience, I have been told some candidiates had to draw waveforms of a swan going through the heart into the pulmonary artery. I also know other candidates who did not have any clinical questions in their interviews. Other things to simply review are vasopressors/vasodilators, ABG's, and vent settings.

Even if they don't ask you specifics about hemodynamics, don't be afraid to interject what you know, and the experience you've had. Chances are if they don't ask you any clinical questions, then it's probably OK to interject some of your experience becaue they don't have any formal questions to ask you. Just don't make the mistake of telling them something your not sure about.

Good Luck in your interview

Of the four interviews I went to, one asked clinical questions. That one gave you a piece of paper with values on it and asked, "what is happening based on these values and what are you going to do about it?"

I was asked clinical questions at one school, and the other school didn't ask any. They asked about CO/CI, SVR, PAP, and what drips I would use to fix the numbers.