Based on assessment findings and mixed signs and symptoms, you suspect total heart failure.

Question

Which of the following are correct statements regarding the body’s attempts to compensate for heart failure? Select all that apply.
Heart rate elevates in response to parasympathetic activation.
Fluid retention by the body is an attempt to increase blood pressure by increasing blood volume.
Pale, cool extremities result from increased blood flow to the skin in attempt to divert excess blood away from the heart.
Baroreceptors detect falling blood pressure and initiate increased heart rate to compensate.
Peripheral vasodilation is the primary cause of the peripheral pitting edema.

Answer 1

Based on the context of heart failure and the body's compensatory mechanisms, the following statements are correct:

1. Fluid retention by the body is an attempt to increase blood pressure by increasing blood volume.

   • This statement is correct. In heart failure, the kidneys may retain fluid to enhance blood volume in an effort to maintain blood pressure and perfusion to vital organs.

2. Baroreceptors detect falling blood pressure and initiate increased heart rate to compensate.

   • This statement is correct. When blood pressure falls, baroreceptors in the carotid arteries and aorta detect this change and stimulate the sympathetic nervous system to increase heart rate and contractility.

The following statements are incorrect:

3. Heart rate elevates in response to parasympathetic activation.

   • This statement is incorrect. The parasympathetic nervous system primarily acts to decrease heart rate. In heart failure, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, leading to an increase in heart rate.

4. Pale, cool extremities result from increased blood flow to the skin in attempt to divert excess blood away from the heart.

   • This statement is incorrect. In heart failure, there is often decreased blood flow to the extremities due to peripheral vasoconstriction as the body redistributes blood to vital organs, resulting in pale and cool extremities.

5. Peripheral vasodilation is the primary cause of the peripheral pitting edema.

   • This statement is incorrect. Peripheral pitting edema in heart failure is primarily due to increased hydrostatic pressure in the capillaries from fluid overload and not due to peripheral vasodilation.

So the correct selections are:

• Fluid retention by the body is an attempt to increase blood pressure by increasing blood volume.
• Baroreceptors detect falling blood pressure and initiate increased heart rate to compensate.