RCIS Practice Test 2025 – All-in-One Exam Prep

Orthopnea is a classic symptom of left ventricular failure. It refers to difficulty breathing when lying flat, which often leads patients to sleep in an upright position to alleviate the discomfort. This occurs because when the patient lies down, blood returns to the heart more rapidly, which can overwhelm the already compromised left ventricle and exacerbate pulmonary congestion.

In left ventricular failure, the heart's reduced ability to pump effectively leads to increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation. This can result in fluid accumulation in the lungs, causing shortness of breath, particularly when lying down. Orthopnea, therefore, serves as a key indicator of the condition's severity and the effects of congestive heart failure on respiration.

Other symptoms such as unilateral edema, ascites, and cyanosis, while important in their own contexts, are more commonly associated with right-sided heart failure or other conditions and do not specifically indicate left ventricular failure. Unilateral edema typically suggests a localized problem such as a clot, ascites involves fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity, often associated with right heart failure, and cyanosis indicates insufficient oxygenation in the blood rather than specifically pointing to left ventricular dysfunction. Thus, the identification of orthopnea is crucial in diagnosing left ventricular failure effectively.