Which assessment findings are indicative of left-sided congestive heart failure?

Bibasilar crackles are indicative of left-sided congestive heart failure because this condition leads to fluid accumulation in the lungs due to increased pressures in the pulmonary circulation. When the left ventricle fails to effectively pump blood, it causes a backlog of blood in the pulmonary veins, resulting in pulmonary congestion and edema. The presence of fluid in the alveoli can create a crackling sound, referred to as crackles, during auscultation of the lower lung fields, particularly in a person with heart failure.

In left-sided heart failure, symptoms often include respiratory issues such as shortness of breath and orthopnea, as well as crackles, whereas ascites, hepatomegaly, and other findings are more commonly associated with right-sided heart failure or congestive heart failure with biventricular involvement, emphasizing the importance of recognizing crackles as a key indicator of left-sided heart failure specifically.