An otherwise healthy 19-year-old male is currently intubated and being mechanically ventilated after a motorcycle accident in which he sustained a closed head injury and multiple rib fractures.Before the patient is taken to the operating room for cranial surgery,the respiratory therapist notices that he has jugular vein distention.The most likely cause of this problem is which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Reduced venous return from the head increases the ICP; this can be caused by positive pressure ventilation and/or,in this case,the head trauma.Increased ICP can be observed clinically by an increase in jugular vein distention.

An Otherwise Healthy 19-Year-Old Male Is Currently Intubated and Being