,
,
, FNP 593 WEEK 4 QUIZ | QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | 100%
CORRECT-USU
❤️SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
ASSESSMENT (Questions 1–15)
Question 1
A 70-year-old patient presents with swelling in his ankles. On
physical exam, the FNP elevates the head of the patient's bed to 45
degrees and notes jugular venous pulsations 5 cm above the sternal
angle. This finding indicates:
A) Normal jugular venous pressure
B) Elevated jugular venous pressure related to heart failure
C) Decreased jugular venous pressure related to dehydration
D) Carotid artery stenosis
E) Superior vena cava syndrome
Correct Answer: B) Elevated jugular venous pressure related to heart
failure
Rationale: The jugular venous pressure (JVP) is a measure of right atrial
pressure. The normal JVP is less than 3-4 cm above the sternal angle when
the head of the bed is elevated to 30-45 degrees. A JVP of 5 cm or greater
indicates elevated right atrial pressure, most commonly due to right-
sided heart failure, but also seen in pulmonary hypertension, tricuspid
stenosis or regurgitation, constrictive pericarditis, and superior vena cava
obstruction. Normal JVP (A) would be <3-4 cm. Decreased JVP (C) would be
seen in dehydration or hypovolemic shock. Carotid artery stenosis (D) is
assessed by auscultation for bruits, not by JVP measurement. SVC syndrome
(E) would cause facial and upper extremity swelling, not isolated ankle
swelling.
,
, FNP 593 WEEK 4 QUIZ | QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | 100%
CORRECT-USU
❤️SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
ASSESSMENT (Questions 1–15)
Question 1
A 70-year-old patient presents with swelling in his ankles. On
physical exam, the FNP elevates the head of the patient's bed to 45
degrees and notes jugular venous pulsations 5 cm above the sternal
angle. This finding indicates:
A) Normal jugular venous pressure
B) Elevated jugular venous pressure related to heart failure
C) Decreased jugular venous pressure related to dehydration
D) Carotid artery stenosis
E) Superior vena cava syndrome
Correct Answer: B) Elevated jugular venous pressure related to heart
failure
Rationale: The jugular venous pressure (JVP) is a measure of right atrial
pressure. The normal JVP is less than 3-4 cm above the sternal angle when
the head of the bed is elevated to 30-45 degrees. A JVP of 5 cm or greater
indicates elevated right atrial pressure, most commonly due to right-
sided heart failure, but also seen in pulmonary hypertension, tricuspid
stenosis or regurgitation, constrictive pericarditis, and superior vena cava
obstruction. Normal JVP (A) would be <3-4 cm. Decreased JVP (C) would be
seen in dehydration or hypovolemic shock. Carotid artery stenosis (D) is
assessed by auscultation for bruits, not by JVP measurement. SVC syndrome
(E) would cause facial and upper extremity swelling, not isolated ankle
swelling.
