The nurse is assessing a patient with possible cardiomyopathy and assesses the hepatojugular reflux. If heart failure is present, then the nurse should recognize which finding while pushing on the right upper quadrant of the patient's abdomen, just below the rib cage?

A) The jugular veins will not be detected during this maneuver.
B) The jugular veins will remain elevated as long as pressure on the abdomen is maintained.
C) An impulse will be visible at the fourth or fifth intercostal space at or inside the midclavicular line.
D) The jugular veins will rise for a few seconds and then recede back to the previous level if the heart is properly working.

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Catherine Parlier · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : B, Explanation :  When performing hepatojugular reflux, the jugular veins will rise for a few seconds and then recede back to the previous level if the heart is able to pump the additional volume created by the pushing. However, with heart failure, the jugular veins remain elevated as long as pressure on the abdomen is maintained.

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