MelbellaRN

Because you want to have an accurate reading continuously. This is especially important with valve replacements as they tend to require more fluid. You always want as clear of a picture as possible at all times.

Remember the Swan is just a line. You will have various ports on the line that will give you different values dependent on the pressures at that end, for example you PAP is in the pulmonary artery the distal port (usually labeled yellow). CVP should be in the right atrium (most likely colored blue) and a white port for infusions. I am not sure what stop cock you are referring to. The one on the transducer we use for zeroing the line. NOW...if you are infusing through the CVP port, which is not wrong, but not best practice (I never do it). You need to turn off the infusing fluid with the stopcock, zero your line, and then get an accurate reading. Remember as long as you infuse through it you will not have an accurate reading.