Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for your EMT Intermediate Test. Study with detailed flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each featuring hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Which of the following is a common cause of left-sided heart failure?

Myocardial infarction
Chronic bronchitis
Pneumothorax
Septic shock

The correct answer is: Myocardial infarction

A common cause of left-sided heart failure is myocardial infarction, which refers to the damage or death of heart muscle cells due to a lack of blood supply, typically caused by a blockage in the coronary arteries. When a portion of the heart muscle is damaged, it can impair the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively, leading to increased pressure in the left atrium and pulmonary circulation. This results in symptoms such as shortness of breath, fluid retention, and fatigue, which are characteristic of left-sided heart failure. Understanding this link is crucial for managing and treating patients effectively, as interventions may vary depending on the underlying issues contributing to heart failure. Other conditions, while potentially affecting cardiac function or the body’s overall stability, do not have the same direct impact on the left side of the heart's ability to pump blood.