Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

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Prepare for the EMT Basic Certification Test. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with detailed hints and explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

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What condition is indicated by peripheral edema, jugular venous distension, liver enlargement, and respiratory distress?

  1. Left-sided heart failure

  2. Right-sided heart failure

  3. Cerebral embolism

  4. Aneurysm

The correct answer is: Right-sided heart failure

The presence of peripheral edema, jugular venous distension, liver enlargement, and respiratory distress strongly suggests right-sided heart failure. In this condition, the right side of the heart is unable to effectively pump blood to the lungs for oxygenation. As a result, blood backs up in the venous system, causing fluid to leak into the surrounding tissues, leading to peripheral edema, which is swelling in the extremities. Jugular venous distension occurs because the failing right side of the heart cannot accommodate the return of blood from the systemic circulation, causing an increase in central venous pressure that is reflected in the distended jugular veins. Liver enlargement, or hepatomegaly, results from congestion in the portal venous system, where blood backs up into the liver as well. Additionally, respiratory distress can occur as fluid may also accumulate in the lungs due to heart failure, a condition known as pulmonary congestion, which can lead to shortness of breath. In contrast, left-sided heart failure primarily presents with symptoms related to pulmonary congestion and decreased cardiac output, rather than systemic signs like edema and jugular distension. Conditions like cerebral embolism and an aneurysm do not typically present with the specific combination of symptoms mentioned, as they involve different