Which term refers to visible bulging of the jugular veins due to elevated venous pressure?

• A. Click
• B. JVD
• C. Bruit
• D. Murmur

Answer: (B)

Visible bulging of the neck veins from elevated venous pressure is called jugular venous distention. This finding happens when the pressure in the right atrium rises, backing up blood into the jugular veins. Clinically, you assess it with the patient at a 30–45 degree angle and look for a vertical venous column that rises above the sternal angle; a column more than about 3 cm above that reference point indicates elevated venous pressure. JVD points to conditions that raise central venous pressure, such as heart failure, fluid overload, cardiac tamponade, or constrictive pericarditis.

Other terms like a click, bruit, or murmur refer to sounds heard with a stethoscope or over arteries, not to the size or distention of the neck veins, so they are not describing this finding.