Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Test

According to the text, what is always associated with cardiogenic pulmonary edema?

1. Bronchospasm and wheezing

2. Decreased blood volume and blood pressure

3. Fluid leakage into the alveoli

4. Obstruction of the bronchioles

The correct answer is: Fluid leakage into the alveoli

Cardiogenic pulmonary edema is primarily characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the alveoli of the lungs, which happens when the heart is unable to pump blood effectively. This failure often results in increased pressure in the heart's chambers, particularly the left atrium and pulmonary circulation. Consequently, excess fluid is pushed from the blood vessels into the lung tissue and alveoli, disrupting gas exchange and leading to symptoms of respiratory distress. The presence of fluid leakage into the alveoli is a direct consequence of this underlying process and is a hallmark feature of cardiogenic pulmonary edema. This condition is often associated with heart-related issues, such as congestive heart failure, where the heart's weakened ability to maintain adequate circulation leads to this increased pressure and subsequent fluid buildup. In contrast, bronchospasm and wheezing, while they may occur in other respiratory conditions such as asthma, are not inherently linked to cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Decreased blood volume and blood pressure can be associated with a variety of cardiovascular problems but are not defining characteristics of this type of pulmonary edema. Similarly, obstruction of the bronchioles pertains more to conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) rather than the fluid dynamics involved in cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Thus, the leakage of