Practice Quiz

NREMT EMR First Responder

Category - Pathophysiology

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Which answer best described the mechanism of which someone with congestive heart failure can develop extreme shortness of breath?
  1. Due to the heart failing to pump adequately, blood pools in the lungs
  2. Ineffective heart pumping action can allow fluid to backup into the lungs, which is called pulmonary edema
  3. The heart fails to fill the lungs with adequate air to breath; thus, decreasing oxygenation
  4. The person is unable to take a deep breath due to pain resulting in shortness of breath
Explanation
Answer: B - When someone has congestive heart failure, their heart is unable to pump the blood effectively, which results in a backup of fluid into the lungs causing pulmonary edema. The fluid in the alveoli makes it difficult for gas exchange to occur at the membrane level.
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