Final answer:
An increasing central venous pressure suggests that the right heart function is deteriorating, causing a rise in pressure due to the inability to pump blood through the lungs efficiently, leading to right-heart failure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The central venous pressure (CVP) is an indicator of right heart function and the venous blood return to the heart. An increase in CVP suggests that the right side of the heart may be struggling to pump blood through the lungs, leading to a rise in pressure in the vena cavae. This condition, known as right-heart failure, means that blood is not being efficiently moved into the pulmonary circulation and can result in venous congestion and potentially fluid retention in the body.
The option that CVP suggests left heart function is deteriorating or that fluid is backing up in the lungs (pulmonary edema) is less accurate as these events are a result of left-heart failure, where the left ventricle cannot effectively pump blood into the systemic circulation.
Therefore, an increasing central venous pressure indicates the deterioration of right heart function, not improvement, and not primarily issues with the left heart or lung fluids.