Evaluating cardiopulmonary instability with continuous monitoring of mixed venous oxygen saturation

This article presents three cases that demonstrate the clinical application of mixed venous oxygen saturation monitoring. These case studies reflect how the critical care nurse integrates the physiology of oxygen delivery and consumption as well as critical thinking in making decisions regarding the care of patients with cardiopulmonary instability. This information gives the clinician immediate data from which therapeutic decisions are made to achieve positive patient outcomes.