Heart Failure Clinical Features Quiz

Which clinical features are typically associated with left-sided heart failure (LHF)?

What is a common sign of right-sided heart failure (RHF)?

Which of these clinical features represent hypoperfusion in heart failure?

Which of the following is a potential symptom of heart failure that is not directly related to the heart itself?

Which clinical feature is particularly characteristic of chronic heart failure?

Clinical Features of Heart Failure

Age and Sex: Any age, predominantly elderly, any sex
Symptoms (Left Heart Failure - LHF):
- Dyspnea (DOE, PND), orthopnea (at rest), cough with pink frothy sputum, hemoptysis, wheezing
Symptoms (Right Heart Failure - RHF):
- Foot and leg discomfort, abdominal discomfort/bloating, anorexia, early satiety
Signs (LHF): Bilateral basal rales, pleural effusion
Signs (RHF): Peripheral edema (legs, sacral), ascites, RUQ pain/discomfort, hepatomegaly/splenomegaly, jaundice, increased jugular venous pressure (↑JVP), S3, loud P2, tachycardia
Volume Overload:
- Increased volume in the body manifesting as fluid retention
Hypoperfusion:
- Fatigue
- Altered mental status (daytime drowsiness, confusion, difficulty concentrating)
- Dizziness, presyncope, syncope
- Oliguria
- Cool extremities, pallor, dusky skin discoloration
- Hypotension, narrow pulse pressure, pulsus alternans
- Uremia
Other Symptoms:
- Depression
- Palpitations
- High output failure associated with increased cardiac output (↑CO) and peripheral vasodilation
- Chronic HF associated with marked weight loss (cachexia)
- Chest pain as a possible cause (CF) for underlying conditions, e.g. myocardial infarction

Test your knowledge on the clinical features associated with heart failure, including left-sided and right-sided heart failure symptoms. This quiz covers signs of hypoperfusion and other potential symptoms that may arise from heart failure. Assess your understanding of chronic heart failure characteristics as well.