You have been called for an 83-year-old female who is having difficulty breathing. She informs you that she has congestive heart failure and feels as though she is filling up with fluid. The primary assessment shows her to be alert and oriented with inadequate breathing. Her pulse is rapid and weak, and her skin is cool and dry. When performing a secondary assessment, which one of the following signs related to heart failure would you specifically look for when examining the patient's neck?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When examining a patient with congestive heart failure, jugular vein distention is a sign that indicates increased pressure in the heart and is specifically related to heart failure. This can help guide treatment decisions and further assessment. Bruising to the neck, deviated trachea, and posterior tenderness on palpation are not commonly associated with heart failure and would not be as relevant in this scenario.

You Have Been Called for an 83-Year-Old Female Who Is