Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

What vital sign changes might be associated with pulmonary edema?

1. Bradycardia and hypotension

2. Hypoxia and tachycardia

3. Hypertension and decreased heart rate

4. Normal respiratory rate and bradycardia

The correct answer is: Hypoxia and tachycardia

The association of hypoxia and tachycardia with pulmonary edema stems from the impaired gas exchange in the lungs due to the accumulation of fluid in the alveoli. When pulmonary edema occurs, the fluid prevents oxygen from efficiently moving into the bloodstream, resulting in decreased oxygen saturation and tissue hypoxia. The body responds to this low oxygen state by increasing the heart rate (tachycardia) in an effort to improve circulation and deliver more oxygen to the tissues. This compensatory mechanism serves to mitigate the oxygen deficit until proper treatment is administered. In contrast, the other options suggest physiological responses that would not typically align with the pathophysiology of pulmonary edema. For instance, bradycardia and hypotension generally indicate a state of shock or severe bradycardic events, which are not characteristic of pulmonary edema. Hypertension would also be less likely in acute cases of pulmonary edema, which often presents with signs of increased preload but not necessarily high systemic vascular resistance. Similarly, normal respiratory rate and bradycardia are inconsistent with the increased work of breathing and compensatory tachycardia that typically occurs in response to hypoxic conditions, as seen in pulmonary edema.