NREMT Paramedic Practice

Which of the following symptoms is typically observed in right-sided heart failure?

1. Severe respiratory distress

2. Edema in lower extremities

3. Cyanosis

4. Rhonchi

The correct answer is: Edema in lower extremities

Edema in the lower extremities is a common symptom observed in right-sided heart failure due to the inability of the right ventricle to effectively pump blood to the lungs for oxygenation. When the right side of the heart fails, blood can back up into the systemic circulation. This leads to increased pressure in the veins, causing fluid to leak out into surrounding tissues, especially in the lower extremities, which are more susceptible to gravity's effects. As a result, patients may notice swelling in the legs and feet. In contrast, severe respiratory distress is more typically associated with left-sided heart failure, as it leads to pulmonary congestion due to fluid accumulation in the lungs. Cyanosis can occur in various cardiac conditions but is not specific to right-sided heart failure alone. Rhonchi may be heard in instances of respiratory issues but are not characteristic of right-sided heart failure in isolation. Thus, edema in the lower extremities serves as a hallmark of fluid overload in right-sided heart failure, emphasizing the body's response to compromised circulatory function.