What is a common symptom that a nurse might expect in a client with right-sided heart failure?

In clients with right-sided heart failure, a common symptom observed is peripheral edema. This occurs because the right side of the heart is responsible for pumping deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation. When the right side fails, blood backs up in the venous system, which leads to fluid retention. As pressure in the venous system increases, fluid seeps out of the capillaries into the surrounding tissues, resulting in swelling, particularly in the lower extremities and sometimes in the abdomen.

Other symptoms like shortness of breath are more characteristic of left-sided heart failure, as they pertain to fluid accumulation in the lungs. Chest pain can indicate a variety of different cardiac issues but is not specifically associated with right-sided heart failure. Elevated blood pressure may occur in heart failure, but it is not a direct symptom of right-sided failure; rather, it is typically seen in cases of left-sided failure or other cardiac conditions.

Understanding the clinical manifestations of heart failure's different sides aids in accurate assessment and intervention, making it crucial for healthcare professionals to recognize peripheral edema as a hallmark symptom of right-sided heart failure.