Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

Coughing up pink-tinged sputum is a sign of what condition?

1. Left-sided heart failure

2. Chronic bronchitis

3. Asthma attack

4. Pneumonia

The correct answer is: Left-sided heart failure

Coughing up pink-tinged sputum is primarily associated with left-sided heart failure, a condition where the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently, leading to a buildup of pressure in the pulmonary circulation. This increased pressure forces fluid into the alveoli (the small air sacs in the lungs), which mixes with air and leads to the characteristic pink-tinged sputum, often described as "blood-tinged". This symptom is also referred to as "productive cough" and is a critical sign of pulmonary edema, a common complication of left-sided heart failure. In contrast, conditions such as chronic bronchitis, asthma attacks, and pneumonia typically present with different types of sputum or respiratory distress. Chronic bronchitis may produce green or yellow sputum due to infection and inflammation in the airways. Asthma attacks are usually associated with wheezing and difficulty breathing rather than significant sputum production. Pneumonia may lead to the production of rusty or purulent sputum depending on the organism causing the infection, but it is less likely to present as pink-tinged sputum indicative of pulmonary fluid accumulation.