Advancing a pulmonary artery catheter into a smaller artery may cause which of the following complications?

a. Pneumothorax
b. Air embolism
c. Pulmonary infarction
d. Ventricular fibrillation

ANS: C
A pneumothorax may be caused during the insertion procedure. An air embolism may be caused by the rupture of the balloon if overinflated or during insertion. A pulmonary infarction may be caused by the catheter being advanced into a smaller artery or by overinflation of the balloon, prolonged wedging, or clot formation. Ventricular fibrillation would most likely be caused during the insertion process when the endocardium is irritated by the catheter while it is passing through the heart.