Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS) Practice Exam

What is a common treatment option for managing acute pulmonary edema?

1. Anticoagulants

2. Diuretics

3. Bronchodilators

4. Narcotics

The correct answer is: Diuretics

Diuretics are a common treatment option for managing acute pulmonary edema due to their ability to promote the excretion of excess fluid from the body. Acute pulmonary edema often occurs as a result of heart failure, where the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs. The administration of diuretics helps to reduce this fluid overload, decreasing the pressure in the pulmonary circulation and alleviating symptoms such as shortness of breath and hypoxia. By facilitating the removal of excess fluid through urine output, diuretics effectively lower the volume of fluid in the lungs, improving respiratory function and overall patient comfort. This is particularly critical in acute situations where rapid intervention is needed to stabilize the patient’s condition. Other treatment options, while potentially helpful in a broader context of patient management, do not specifically target the immediate issue of fluid accumulation in the lungs.