Acute pulmonary edema would most likely develop as the result of which of the following conditions?

• A. Renal calculi
• B. Left-sided heart failure
• C. Right-sided heart failure
• D. Chronic liver disease

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of pulmonary edema: Pulmonary edema is a condition where fluid accumulates in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. It is often caused by issues related to the heart's ability to pump blood effectively.
2. Learn the role of the heart in blood circulation: The heart has two sides—left and right. The left side pumps oxygenated blood to the body, while the right side pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation.
3. Connect left-sided heart failure to pulmonary edema: Left-sided heart failure results in the inability of the left ventricle to pump blood efficiently. This causes blood to back up into the pulmonary veins, leading to increased pressure and fluid leakage into the lungs, which results in pulmonary edema.
4. Eliminate unrelated conditions: Renal calculi (kidney stones) and chronic liver disease do not directly affect the pulmonary circulation or lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs. Right-sided heart failure primarily causes fluid buildup in the systemic circulation, leading to swelling in the extremities rather than pulmonary edema.
5. Conclude that left-sided heart failure is the most likely cause of acute pulmonary edema based on its direct impact on pulmonary circulation and fluid dynamics in the lungs.