Cardiac-Vascular Nursing (CVRN) Practice Exam

Which assessment finding is indicative of right-sided heart failure?

1. Dyspnea on exertion

2. Peripheral edema

3. Rapid weight loss

4. Bradycardia

The correct answer is: Peripheral edema

Peripheral edema is a classic assessment finding indicative of right-sided heart failure. This condition occurs when the right ventricle fails to pump blood effectively, leading to a backlog of blood in the venous system. As a result, increased pressure in the veins causes fluid to leak into the surrounding tissues, resulting in swelling, particularly in the lower extremities such as the legs and ankles. This accumulation of fluid is a hallmark of right-sided heart failure and helps differentiate it from left-sided heart failure, which is more associated with pulmonary symptoms and congestion. Other assessment findings like dyspnea on exertion may occur but are more associated with left-sided heart failure due to pulmonary congestion. Rapid weight loss is not a typical finding in heart failure, where weight gain due to fluid retention is more common. Bradycardia, or a slow heart rate, is not specifically indicative of right-sided heart failure and can be seen in various other conditions.