Which condition indicates right-sided CHF?

Prepare for the NBEO Systemic Disease Exam. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions to test your knowledge. Each question includes hints and explanations. Enhance your understanding and readiness for the exam.

Right-sided congestive heart failure (CHF) is characterized by the heart's inability to effectively pump blood to the lungs, leading to a backup of blood in various systemic areas. This results in fluid accumulation in the body's peripheral tissues.

The condition that indicates right-sided CHF is the backup of blood in the abdomen and legs. When the right side of the heart fails, pressure builds up in the systemic venous system. This can lead to symptoms such as peripheral edema (swelling in the legs and ankles) and abdominal distension due to fluid accumulation, often referred to as ascites. These signs are direct consequences of the increased venous pressure as the heart struggles to manage blood flow returning from the body.

Other options like pulmonary edema and shortness of breath are more commonly associated with left-sided heart failure, which affects the lungs due to fluid backing up into the pulmonary circulation. A myocardial infarction refers to a heart attack, which can cause right-sided heart failure but is not indicative of it by itself. Thus, the presence of blood backup in the abdomen and legs is a key indicator of right-sided CHF.

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