Heart & Neck Vessels Assessment
Objectives:
At the end of this lab, the students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate the ability to safely & accurately complete heart & neck vessels
assessment.
2.Demonstrate the ability to accurately document heart & neck vessels
assessment data in organized manner.
Equipment Needed
I . Marking Pen
2. Small centimeter
3. Stethoscope with diaphragm & bell
4. Alcohol swab
5- Watch with second hand
Preparation
1. To evaluate the carotid arteries, the client can be
2. To assess the jugular veins & the pericardium, the
with the head & chest
sitting.
person should be supine
slightly elevated.
3. Stand on the client's right side.
4. Th hould be warm.
5. Ensure the female's privacy by keeping her breasts draped.
6. Gently displace the breast upward, or ask the client to hold
Subjective data:
1. Cough
2. Nocturia
3. Dyspnea
4. Fatigue
5. Past cardiac history
6. Orothopnea
7. Cyanosis or pallor
8. Family cardiac history
9. Edema
10.Chest pain
1 1. Personal habits
The Neck Vessels
Palpate the carotid artery
- Palpate each carotid artery medial to the sternomastoid muscle in the neck.
- Avoid excessive pressure on the carotid sinus area.
- Palpate gently.
- Palpate only one carotid artery at a
time. - Feel the contour & amplitude of the pulse.
- Compromise finding to the other side.
Normal finding :
Contour is smooth with rapid upstroke & slower down stroke. Strength is 2+ or
moderate.
Findings should be same bilaterally
Auscultation of the carotid artery
- Keep the neck in a neutral position.
- Lightly apply the bell of the
stethoscope over the carotid artery at
three levels:
o Angle of jaw.
o Mid – line area.
o Base of the neck.
- Ask the client to take a breath. Exhale & hold it briefly while you listen.
Normally no sound present
Inspect the Jugular Venous Pulse
- Put the client in supine position anywhere from 30-40 degree angle. - Remove
the pillow to avoid flexing of the neck.
- Turn the client's head slightly away from the examined side.
- Direct strong light onto the neck.
- Note the external jugular veins overlying the stemomastoid muscle.
- Look for pulsation of internal jugular veins in the area of suprasternal 
notch Internal jugular vein pulsations 3cm above sternal angel
Palpate the Apical impulse: - localize the apical impulse using one finger pad. Ask the client to "exhale & then hold". - Role the client midway to the left.
- Note the following:
Location 
Size 
Amplitude 
Duration 
Apical impulse occupy only one 
Intercostal space, the 5*, & be at or medial to the MCL. *2cm. 
Note: apical impulse is not palpable in obese or in clients with thick
chest wall.
