atrial fib and distended neck vein

[bsnwnab]

Rationale:

The client with uncontrolled atrial fibrillation with a ventricular rate over 100 beats/min is at risk for low cardiac output due to loss of atrial kick. The nurse assesses the client for palpitations, chest pain or discomfort, hypotension, pulse deficit, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, syncope, shortness of breath, and distended neck veins.

Why distended neck vein? What's the pathophys of distended neck vein with low cardiac output and/or a-fib??

thanks :)

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

First what is cardiac output and how do you do you calculate it? Also check out starlings law.

Next if the output is low, where is all the blood that would be ejected out of the ventricles during normal cardiac output?

Think of a drain that is partially clogged. When there is no clog the water flows down the drain without any problems, but when the pipe is partially clogged and water goes by in small amounts, what happens to the water above the clog?

[Mike R, ADN, BSN, RN]

Next if the output is low, where is all the blood that would be ejected out of the ventricles during normal cardiac output?

What he said.

[bsnwnab]

Alrighty then, thank you!:thankya: