Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

What condition is associated with double-sided heart failure?

1. Pulmonary embolism

2. Pulmonary edema

3. Cirrhosis

4. Myocardial infarction

The correct answer is: Pulmonary edema

The correct answer is associated with the accumulation of fluid in the lungs due to left-sided heart failure, leading to pulmonary edema. Double-sided heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure (CHF) or biventricular heart failure, occurs when both the left and right sides of the heart are unable to pump effectively. In this scenario, the left side of the heart fails first, resulting in increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation, causing fluid to leak into the lung tissues—this condition is referred to as pulmonary edema. In the context of heart failure, both sides of the heart are impacted because the right heart often fails as a consequence of the left heart’s inability to manage increased pressures. This ultimately leads to systemic congestion (in right-sided failure) and pulmonary congestion (in left-sided failure), illustrating the interdependence of the heart’s chambers.