Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Practice Exam

What is the range for normal pulmonary artery pressure (PAP)?

1. 10-20/2-10 mmHg

2. 15-30/5-15 mmHg

3. 20-25/10-15 mmHg

4. 25-35/10-20 mmHg

The correct answer is: 15-30/5-15 mmHg

The normal range for pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) is widely accepted to be approximately 15-30 mmHg for systolic pressure and 5-15 mmHg for diastolic pressure. This range reflects the typical pressures seen in a healthy individual’s pulmonary circulation, which is significantly lower than systemic arterial pressures. Understanding the normal PAP is crucial for anesthetists and healthcare providers in assessing cardiac function and diagnosing pulmonary hypertension. Elevated pressures can indicate underlying pathologies such as conditions leading to increased pulmonary vascular resistance, while lower pressures are often less concerning. When monitoring patients, particularly in anesthesia settings, it is important to know these values to make appropriate clinical decisions. The specified option provides a range that accurately encompasses these typical values observed in clinical practice, making it the best choice among those provided.