Which sign is commonly associated with pulmonary edema?

• A. Syncope
• B. Dizziness
• C. Orthopnea
• D. Edema of the limbs

Answer: (C)

In pulmonary edema, fluid backs up into the lungs, making breathing hardest when you’re laid flat because fluid shifts toward the chest. Orthopnea—shortness of breath that improves when you sit up or stand—is a classic sign because adopting an upright position reduces the pressure of fluid in the chest and clears the airways a bit, easing breathing. This makes orthopnea the most characteristic clue for pulmonary edema in an acute setting. Dizziness or syncope can occur with many problems and aren’t specific to pulmonary edema, and limb edema reflects broader venous congestion rather than lung involvement.