National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the NPTE with our exam quiz. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions to boost your confidence. Learn with detailed explanations and hints for each question. Get ready for success!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Which of the following is a common symptom of right ventricular congestive heart failure?

Orthopnea
Jugular distention
Persistent cough
Fatigue

The correct answer is: Jugular distention

Jugular distention is a prominent sign of right ventricular congestive heart failure due to increased pressure in the right atrium, which can happen when the right ventricle is unable to effectively pump blood forward. This results in a backup of blood, leading to increased venous pressure and consequently distention of the jugular veins. This phenomenon is often observed in patients with right-sided heart failure, reflecting the systemic venous congestion that characterizes this condition. Understanding the role of the right ventricle in the heart's overall function clarifies why jugular distention is a key symptom. When the right ventricle fails, blood does not efficiently flow into the pulmonary circulation for oxygenation, and thus, pressure builds in the venous system, leading to visible abnormalities such as distension of the jugular veins. This clinical sign can be easily assessed during physical examination and serves as an important indicator of right heart failure.