A nurse is assessing a client's pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP). The nurse should recognize that an elevated PAWP indicates which of the following complications?

Pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) reflects left atrial pressure and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (preload). An elevated PAWP (normal 4–12 mmHg) indicates increased pressure backing up behind a failing left ventricle — classic for left ventricular failure or fluid overload. Hypovolemia and hypotension would cause a low PAWP. Septic shock (distributive shock) typically presents with low or normal PAWP due to vasodilation and decreased preload.