CRNA Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Study Guide

Orthopnea is a classic sign of left-sided heart failure. This condition occurs when the heart is unable to effectively pump blood, leading to increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation. As a result, patients may experience difficulty breathing while lying flat due to fluid accumulation in the lungs. This positional dyspnea prompts individuals to sleep propped up or use multiple pillows to alleviate their symptoms.

In contrast, signs or symptoms associated with right-sided heart failure, such as jugular venous distension (JVD), peripheral edema, and hepatomegaly, are not indicative of left-sided heart failure specifically. JVD occurs due to increased venous pressure as the right side of the heart struggles to manage blood returning from the body. Peripheral edema refers to swelling in the extremities caused by fluid retention, while hepatomegaly involves liver enlargement due to congestion from impaired blood flow. These symptoms illustrate complications typically associated with right-sided heart failure or congestive heart failure, rather than specifically indicating left-sided heart failure.