What it means
When the right ventriclerite VEN-trih-kulThe lower right chamber of the heart, which pumps blood to the lungs.Full entry pumps poorly, blood backs up in the veins of the body. This causes swollen neck veins, swelling of the legs and feet, weight gain, an enlarged liver, fluid in the abdomen (ascitesuh-SY-teezA buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity, the space around the organs of the belly.Full entry ), and loss of appetite or nausea. The most common cause is left-sided heart failureLEFT-sy-did hart FAYL-yurHeart failure in which the left ventricle cannot pump enough blood out to the body.Full entry ; lung disease and high pressure in the lung arteries can also cause it.
For the nurse
Weigh daily, check for edema and neck vein distention, raise swollen legs, limit sodium and fluids as ordered, and give diuretics as prescribed.
Remember it
Left goes to the lungs; right goes to the rest of the body.
At a glance
| Also written | right sided heart failure |
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Related terms
edema
Swelling caused by extra fluid trapped in the body's tissues.
heart failure
A long-term condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
ascites
A buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity, the space around the organs of the belly.
right ventricle
The lower right chamber of the heart, which pumps blood to the lungs.
left-sided heart failure
Heart failure in which the left ventricle cannot pump enough blood out to the body.