Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC) Practice Test

Which signs and symptoms could indicate a diagnosis of pulmonary edema?

1. Apnea, head congestion, fatigue, and headache

2. Dyspnea, cough, headache, and weakness

3. Apnea, wheezing, fatigue, and cough

4. Electrolyte imbalance, wheezing, and headache

The correct answer is: Dyspnea, cough, headache, and weakness

The signs and symptoms associated with pulmonary edema predominantly involve respiratory distress due to fluid accumulation in the lungs. Dyspnea, or difficulty breathing, is a hallmark symptom as the presence of fluid impairs gas exchange and leads to an increased effort to breathe. A persistent cough can also be indicative of pulmonary edema, often presenting as a wet or productive cough due to fluid in the alveoli. Headache may occur as a secondary symptom, possibly resulting from hypoxia (reduced oxygen supply) or elevated blood pressure, which can be related to fluid overload. Weakness is often seen in patients with pulmonary edema because the body is not receiving adequate oxygen levels, leading to overall fatigue and decreased physical performance. In contrast, the other options either include symptoms not typically associated with pulmonary edema or fail to encompass the primary respiratory symptoms. Apnea suggests the cessation of breathing and is not characteristic of pulmonary edema; instead, dyspnea would be expected. Wheezing might be present in some cases, but is more characteristic of obstructive airway diseases rather than pulmonary edema itself. Therefore, the combination of dyspnea, cough, headache, and weakness most accurately reflects the clinical presentation associated with pulmonary edema.