Question

The most common sign of an acute exacerbation of heart failure in an elder is:

a) Sharp pain in left shoulder that radiates to the arm.
b) Dyspnea.
c) Syncope.
d) Bradycardia.

Answer 1

Dyspnea, or difficulty breathing, is the most common sign of an acute exacerbation of heart failure in elders, indicating the need for immediate medical care due to potential complications like pulmonary edema.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most common sign of an acute exacerbation of heart failure in an elder is dyspnea. Dyspnea, or difficulty breathing, is a key symptom of heart failure and may indicate an acute exacerbation of the condition. Acute myocardial infarction (MI) can also present with dyspnea, along with chest pain and other symptoms, but dyspnea is particularly indicative of heart failure exacerbation. While sharp pain in the left shoulder that radiates to the arm is common in males with MI, and syncope (fainting) and bradycardia (slow heart rate) can also occur in heart complications, it is dyspnea that more frequently signals an acute episode of heart failure. Pulmonary edema is another critical condition that often accompanies heart failure and can manifest as difficulty breathing; immediate medical care is essential due to impaired gas exchange in the lungs.