Review Question - QID 213747

A 44-year-old man is brought to the emergency department for evaluation after being found down. He is obtunded and unable to provide a history. His temperature is 102.2°F (39.0°C), blood pressure is 88/58 mmHg, pulse is 130/min, respirations are 22/min, and oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. He is promptly intubated for airway protection. Broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy is initiated. As his evaluation is ongoing, the patient has continued hypotension refractory to 3 liters of intravenous fluid. A subclavian central line is placed, and norepinephrine infusion is initiated with improvement in blood pressure. Shortly thereafter, the nurse alerts the physician to a change in vital signs. His pulse is 120/min, blood pressure is 80/60 mmHg, respirations are 14/min on the ventilator, and oxygen saturation is 80%. Jugular venous distention is noted. Which of the following most likely explains this patient's change in condition?