If a patient's central venous pressure (CVP) is recorded at 2 mmHg, what does this indicate?

A central venous pressure (CVP) of 2 mmHg typically indicates hypovolemia, which refers to a decreased volume of blood in the circulation. CVP is a measure of the pressure in the thoracic vena cava near the right atrium and reflects the amount of blood returning to the heart and the heart's ability to pump that blood into the arterial system.

In a healthy individual with a normal fluid balance, CVP ranges from approximately 5 to 10 mmHg. A CVP at or below 2 mmHg suggests that the patient may not have adequate circulating blood volume, which could result from various conditions such as dehydration, hemorrhage, or inadequate fluid intake.

Monitoring CVP is essential in critically ill patients, as it aids in assessing fluid status and guiding fluid therapy. In contrast, hypervolemia, normal fluid balance, or electrolyte imbalances would present differently in terms of CVP values, further emphasizing the significance of the measured pressure in evaluating a patient's volume status.