Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Practice Exam

What is a common symptom of right-sided heart failure?

1. Decreased stroke volume

2. Crackles in the lungs

3. Increased CVP

4. Low PaO2

The correct answer is: Increased CVP

In right-sided heart failure, one of the hallmark symptoms is increased central venous pressure (CVP). This condition occurs when the right side of the heart is unable to efficiently pump blood into the pulmonary circulation, leading to a backup of blood in the venous system. As the blood volume increases in the systemic venous circulation, the right atrial pressure rises, which is reflected as elevated CVP measurements. This increase in CVP can be indicative of various clinical scenarios associated with right-sided heart failure, such as fluid overload, venous congestion, and potential symptoms of systemic edema. In contrast, decreased stroke volume typically relates more to left-sided heart failure, whereas crackles in the lungs and low PaO2 would suggest pulmonary congestion related to left-sided heart failure, as fluid accumulation in the lungs is less common in right-sided heart failure alone. Thus, the relationship between right-sided heart failure and increased CVP is a key indicator of this condition's impact on the venous system.