Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

Which symptoms are indicative of congestive heart failure?

1. High blood pressure and crackles in airway

2. Severe headaches and dizziness

3. Excessive thirst and urination

4. Skin rashes and itching

The correct answer is: High blood pressure and crackles in airway

The symptoms indicative of congestive heart failure include high blood pressure and crackles in the airway. In congestive heart failure, the heart is unable to pump efficiently, leading to a backup of fluid in the lungs, which can cause crackling sounds during respiration. This condition, known as pulmonary congestion, is often assessed using auscultation of lung sounds. Additionally, high blood pressure can be a contributing factor to the development of heart failure and is closely monitored in patients with this condition. Other options, such as severe headaches and dizziness, excessive thirst and urination, or skin rashes and itching, do not directly correlate with the classic signs of congestive heart failure. Instead, they may be associated with different medical issues or conditions that do not primarily involve the heart and circulatory system.