Which respiratory symptom would you expect in CKD with fluid overload?

• A. Shortness of Breath With Crackles, Possible Pulmonary Edema
• B. Wheezing Only
• C. Productive Cough With Purulent Sputum
• D. No Respiratory Symptoms

Answer: (A)

Fluid overload in CKD increases total body water and raises the hydrostatic pressure in the pulmonary capillaries. This causes fluid to shift into the interstitial and then alveolar spaces, leading to shortness of breath and crackles on lung exam, and can progress to pulmonary edema. Wheezing alone isn’t typical of fluid overload and points more to bronchospasm or reactive airways disease. A productive cough with purulent sputum suggests infection, not fluid overload. No respiratory symptoms would be unlikely given fluid overload. So, the most likely presentation is shortness of breath with crackles, indicating possible pulmonary edema.