Pulmonary hypertension is also known as :

IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg.Entrance-2026

Medical & Surgical Nursing

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Appeared in: IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg.Entrance-2026

Explanation

Cor pulmonale, also known as pulmonary heart disease, is the specific medical term for right-sided heart failure that originates from a primary disorder of the lungs.
It develops as a direct consequence of pulmonary hypertension, which significantly increases the afterload (resistance) the right ventricle must pump against.
This chronic pressure overload causes the right ventricle to hypertrophy (enlarge) and dilate, eventually leading to its failure.

Option A: This is a general term. Cor pulmonale is a specific type of right-sided heart failure, but not all cases of right-sided heart failure are cor pulmonale.
Option B: Atelectasis refers to the collapse of alveoli in the lungs. While it can contribute to hypoxia, which can worsen pulmonary hypertension, it is not a synonym for the resulting heart condition.
Option D: Pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural space, causing lung collapse. It is a distinct respiratory emergency and not a term for pulmonary hypertension.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Pathophysiology and terminology of pulmonary heart disease as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
It is crucial for nurses to identify the underlying cause of right-sided heart failure. If it is cor pulmonale, management must focus on treating the primary lung disease and improving oxygenation to reduce pulmonary vascular resistance.
Patients with cor pulmonale often present with symptoms like peripheral edema, jugular venous distention (JVD), and hepatomegaly, which are classic signs of right-sided heart failure.
What if? If a patient presents with signs of right-sided heart failure (e.g., JVD, edema) but has a history of a major left ventricular myocardial infarction, the cause is likely left-sided heart failure leading to backward failure, not cor pulmonale. The treatment would focus on improving left ventricular function.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question stem: 'Pulmonary hypertension'.
Recognize that the question is asking for a synonym or a specific condition that is a direct result and often named in conjunction with it.
Analyze the options. 'Right-sided heart failure' is a consequence, but is it the most specific term?
Eliminate options that describe different primary lung pathologies, such as 'Atelectasis' (alveolar collapse) and 'Pneumothorax' (air in pleural space).
Recall that 'Cor pulmonale' literally means 'pulmonary heart'. It is the precise medical term for heart disease (right ventricular failure) caused by a primary lung problem like pulmonary hypertension.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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