A 65-year-old man has congestive heart failure. He has a cardiac output of 4.0 L/min, arterial pressure of 115/85 mm Hg, and a heart rate of 90 beats/min. Further tests by a cardiologist reveal that the patient has a right atrial pressure of 10 mm Hg. An increase in which of the following would be expected in this patient?
A)Plasma colloid osmotic pressure
B)Interstitial colloid osmotic pressure
C)Arterial pressure
D)Cardiac output
E)Vena cava hydrostatic pressure

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An increase in right atrial pressure, as seen in this patient, suggests a backup of blood in the venous system, which would lead to an increase in vena cava hydrostatic pressure. This is because the right atrium receives blood from the vena cava, and elevated pressures here indicate congestion that would elevate pressures upstream in the venous system.

A 65-Year-Old Man Has Congestive Heart Failure