Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Evaluating abdominal compartment syndrome is crucial because it can lead to increased intra-abdominal pressure, which can severely impact organ function. The recommendation to check bladder pressure is grounded in the understanding that the bladder is a reliable surrogate for intra-abdominal pressure. Intra-bladder pressure measurements provide an accurate reflection of the pressure within the abdominal cavity. This method allows healthcare professionals to assess whether the pressure is elevated and if intervention is necessary.

This approach is preferred because measuring bladder pressure is straightforward, can be performed at the bedside, and is less invasive compared to imaging studies. While other methods like an MRI or abdominal ultrasound might provide important information about abdominal contents or complications, they do not directly measure intra-abdominal pressure, which is the key factor in diagnosing abdominal compartment syndrome. Blood pressure checks, on the other hand, do not correlate directly with intra-abdominal pressure, making them less effective for this particular evaluation.