Examination of the jugular venous pulse (short version)

Examine the jugular venous pressure (JVP) from the patient's right side with the head of the bed generally elevated 30 degrees, with the elevation adjusted as necessary to visualize the right internal jugular vein (IJV) meniscus pulsation in the lower half of the neck along or just posterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. An elevation of the IJV meniscus pulsation that is greater than 5 cm above the sternal angle is generally considered an abnormal elevation of the JVP and right atrial pressure.