National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

Which finding is not typically associated with left-sided heart failure?

1. Chronic and persistent cough

2. Dependent edema

3. Pulmonary edema

4. Muscular weakness

The correct answer is: Dependent edema

In the context of left-sided heart failure, dependent edema is not a typical finding. Left-sided heart failure primarily affects the lungs and can lead to symptoms such as pulmonary congestion and increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation. This often results in pulmonary edema, which causes symptoms like shortness of breath, a chronic cough, and difficulty with physical exertion. Dependent edema, on the other hand, is more commonly associated with right-sided heart failure, where the heart struggles to pump blood effectively to the lungs and results in backup in the systemic circulation. This can cause fluid accumulation in the lower extremities, especially in the legs and feet, due to gravity. Chronic and persistent cough (often due to pulmonary congestion), pulmonary edema (caused by fluid accumulation in the lungs), and muscular weakness (a general symptom seen in heart failure due to decreased cardiac output and inadequate perfusion) are more directly related to the effects of left-sided heart failure. Hence, identifying dependent edema as not typically associated with left-sided heart failure is aligned with the understanding of heart failure symptoms and their implications.