Question

Which of the following clinical signs should alert the EMT that a patient has left heart failure?

A) An irregular pulse
B) Dyspnea on exertion
C) Severe peripheral edema
D) Jugular venous distention

Answer 1

Severe peripheral edema is the clinical sign that should alert an EMT that a patient has left heart failure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The clinical sign that should alert an EMT that a patient has left heart failure is severe peripheral edema. Peripheral edema refers to the swelling of tissues in the extremities, such as the ankles and feet, due to fluid retention. In left heart failure, the left ventricle of the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, leading to a backup of fluid in the body, resulting in peripheral edema. Other clinical signs, such as an irregular pulse, dyspnea on exertion, and jugular venous distention, may also be present but are not specific to left heart failure.