nursingnerds: Left-sided heart failure occurs when the left ventricle is not pumping blood out of the lungs sufficiently. Because of this blood backs up into the lungs, resulting in pulmonary congestion — patient develops crackles and dyspnea. Nursing Care: Pt’s are usually on O2, head in high fowlers, and Lasix given to help pull back fluid from lungs into the intravascular space.
