You respond to a patient with difficulty breathing. Upon assessment you notice that the patient is sitting in the tripod position, with marked JVD. The patient has clubbing in the fingers and new pitting edema. You should suspect:
A) CHF.
B) COPD.
C) cor pulmonale.
D) pulmonary neoplasm.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of JVD, clubbing, and pitting edema are all indicative of cor pulmonale, which is a condition in which the right side of the heart becomes enlarged and weakened due to lung disease or pulmonary hypertension. CHF and COPD may also present with difficulty breathing and the tripod position, but the presence of JVD and clubbing are specific to cor pulmonale. Pulmonary neoplasm is less likely to present with these symptoms.

You Respond to a Patient with Difficulty Breathing