You respond to the scene of a 56-year-old obese female complaining of respiratory distress.She states that she has been feeling weak and a "little sick" for the past two days but the respiratory distress has been getting progressively worse for the past several hours.She states she has "heart problems," suffers from high blood pressure,and takes a "water pill." She is afebrile and has coarse crackles (rales)bilaterally.What is most likely the cause of her respiratory distress?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's history of "heart problems," high blood pressure, and use of a diuretic (water pill) all suggest underlying congestive heart failure (CHF) as the likely cause of her respiratory distress. Bilateral rales are typically heard in patients with CHF due to fluid accumulation in the lungs. Pneumonia and influenza may have similar symptoms, but the history and exam findings in this case point more towards CHF as the underlying cause. An aortic aneurysm would not typically present with respiratory distress unless there was rupture, which would be accompanied by severe pain and shock.

You Respond to the Scene of a 56-Year-Old Obese Female