North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

Which of the following symptoms is associated with right-sided heart failure?

1. Rales in the lungs

2. JVD and pedal or sacral edema

3. Chest tightness upon exertion

4. Episodes of syncope

The correct answer is: JVD and pedal or sacral edema

Right-sided heart failure is characterized by the inability of the right ventricle to effectively pump blood to the lungs, leading to a variety of systemic symptoms. One of the hallmark signs of this condition is jugular venous distension (JVD) and the presence of edema in the lower extremities, such as pedal or sacral edema. JVD occurs due to increased pressure in the venous system as blood backs up in the right atrium and the superior vena cava. The accumulation of blood causes the veins in the neck to become distended. Similarly, the edema seen in the feet or sacral area arises because the heart's impaired pumping ability leads to fluid retention and increased hydrostatic pressure, causing fluid to leak into the surrounding tissues. These signs are critical for diagnosing right-sided heart failure and differentiating it from other conditions, as they reflect the fluid overload and pressure build-up that are directly associated with this specific type of heart failure. The other symptoms presented in the alternatives do not align with the typical manifestation of right-sided heart failure, focusing instead on different cardiac or respiratory issues.