Cardiovascular and Pulmonary: Right vs Left Heart Failure

Question 1

Signs and Symptoms of Pulmonary Congestion: Left Ventricular Failure

Answer 1

• Dyspnea, dry cough
• Orthopnea
• Paraoxysomal nocturnal dyspnea
• Pulmonary Rales, and wheezing

Question 2

Signs and Symptoms of Pulmonary Congestion: Right Ventricular Failure

Answer 2

• Dependent Edema
• Weight gain
• Ascites
• Liver enlargement

Question 3

Signs and Symptoms of Low Cardiac Output: Left Ventricular Failure

Answer 3

• Hypotension
• Tachycardia
• Lightheadedness, dizziness
• Cerebral Hypoxia
• Fatigue
• Poor exercise tolerance
• Enlarged Heart on Chest X-ray
• S3 Heart sound
• Possibly S4 Heart Sound
• Murmurs of mitral and tricuspid regurgitation

Question 4

Signs and Symptoms of Low Cardiac Output: Right Ventricular Failure

Answer 4

• Anorexia
• Nausea
• Bloating
• Cyanosis of the nail beds
• Right upper quadrant pain
• Jugular vein distention
• Right sided S3 Heart sounds
• Murmurs of pulmonary Tricuspid insufficiency