Position the patient at 30 to 45 degrees
Turn the patient’s head slightly away from the side being examined
Identify the internal jugular venous pulsation
Use tangential light to help visualize the venous pulsation
Find the highest point of visible venous pulsation
Measure the vertical distance from the sternal angle to this point
Add 5 cm to the measured distance to estimate right atrial pressure
Record the JVP in centimeters of water
Repeat on the opposite side if needed