Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Test

Which of the following is a symptom commonly seen in patients with bronchitis?

1. Pulsus paradoxus

2. Peripheral edema

3. Clubbing nails

4. Thin barrel chest

The correct answer is: Peripheral edema

Peripheral edema is commonly associated with bronchitis due to the inflammatory processes that can lead to respiratory issues and hypoxia, causing the body to retain fluid. In patients suffering from chronic bronchitis, this retention often results in swelling, especially in the lower extremities, which is a characteristic symptom. Other options don't typically represent symptoms of bronchitis. Pulsus paradoxus often indicates severe conditions such as cardiac tamponade or severe asthma exacerbations, clubbing of nails is generally associated with chronic lung diseases but not specifically bronchitis, and a thin barrel chest is more commonly observed in emphysema rather than bronchitis. Thus, peripheral edema stands out as a relevant symptom for bronchitis patients.