Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

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What happens to blood flow in the pulmonary capillaries during left sided heart failure?

Increased pressure occurs
Blood flow is enhanced
Decreased oxygen exchange occurs
Capillaries become dilated

The correct answer is: Increased pressure occurs

In left-sided heart failure, the heart's ability to pump blood effectively is compromised, which leads to a backup of blood in the left atrium and subsequently in the pulmonary circulation. As blood accumulates in the pulmonary capillaries due to the increased volume and pressure from the failing heart, this results in elevated hydrostatic pressure within these capillaries. The increased pressure can cause fluid to seep out of the capillaries and into the surrounding lung tissue, leading to pulmonary congestion or pulmonary edema. This condition impairs the normal gas exchange process, as fluid in the alveoli hinders oxygen diffusion into the blood and carbon dioxide removal from the blood. Consequently, while other options may reflect secondary effects of left-sided heart failure, the correct answer clearly describes the initial and direct impact of heart failure on blood flow dynamics in the pulmonary capillaries.