An adult is admitted with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The nurse notes that he has neck vein distention and slight peripheral edema. The practical nurse notifies the registered nurse and continues frequent assessments because the nurse knows that these signs signal the onset of which of the following?
ExplanationDistended neck veins and peripheral edema are signs of right-sided heart failure or cor pulmonale—heart failure due to pulmonary causes.