A patient who is nonverbal from a previous stroke is in severe respiratory distress. Family states that she has multiple medical problems including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (emphysema and chronic bronchitis). When assessing the patient, which one of the following signs or symptoms should raise your suspicion that the patient is suffering from heart failure, as opposed to COPD or asthma?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pulmonary crackles are a sign of fluid in the air spaces of the lungs, which is common in heart failure due to the heart's inability to pump blood effectively, leading to fluid buildup. This symptom is more indicative of heart failure than COPD or asthma, which typically present with different respiratory symptoms.

A Patient Who Is Nonverbal from a Previous Stroke Is