Which symptom is NOT a typical sign of pulmonary edema in pregnancy?

Which symptom is NOT a typical sign of pulmonary edema in pregnancy?

• A. Shortness of breath
• B. Cough
• C. Chest tightness
• D. Abdominal cramping

Answer: (D)

Pulmonary edema presents with respiratory symptoms from fluid overload in the lungs: shortness of breath, a cough (often with frothy sputum), and chest tightness or pressure, frequently with rapid breathing and tachycardia. In pregnancy, diaphragmatic elevation and fluid shifts can worsen shortness of breath and lead to crackles on auscultation and possible hypoxia. Abdominal cramping, however, does not reflect fluid in the pulmonary interstitium or airways; it points to uterine activity or gastrointestinal processes rather than pulmonary edema. So the signs that would alert you to pulmonary edema are the breathing difficulties and chest-related symptoms, while abdominal cramping would suggest other obstetric or nonpulmonary causes.

Pulmonary edema presents with respiratory symptoms from fluid overload in the lungs: shortness of breath, a cough (often with frothy sputum), and chest tightness or pressure, frequently with rapid breathing and tachycardia. In pregnancy, diaphragmatic elevation and fluid shifts can worsen shortness of breath and lead to crackles on auscultation and possible hypoxia. Abdominal cramping, however, does not reflect fluid in the pulmonary interstitium or airways; it points to uterine activity or gastrointestinal processes rather than pulmonary edema. So the signs that would alert you to pulmonary edema are the breathing difficulties and chest-related symptoms, while abdominal cramping would suggest other obstetric or nonpulmonary causes.