During assessment of a 72-year-old with ankle swelling, the nurse notes jugular venous distention ( JVD ) with the head of the patient's bed elevated 45 degrees. The nurse knows this finding indicates

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The jugular veins empty into the superior vena cava and then into the right atrium, so JVD with the patient sitting at a 45-degree angle reflects elevated right atrial pressure. JVD is an indicator of excessive fluid volume (increased preload), not decreased fluid volume. JVD is not caused by incompetent jugular vein valves or atherosclerosis.

During Assessment of a 72-Year-Old with Ankle Swelling, the Nurse