Next, we shall evaluate our patient’s jugular venous pulse, both the central venous pressure, and the wave form. We identify the venous pulse at the inferolateral aspect of the sternocleidomastoid, and the sternal angle is 5 cm higher than the mid right atrium, and that is about the level where the pulse is undulating, so our patient’s central venous pressure is approximately 5 cm, that is, it is normal.

Now, we shall evaluate the contour of that pulse and, to assist us for timing, we’ll place a cotton swab on the carotid vessel, and look at the wave form of our patient’s jugular venous pulse.