Which condition is associated with pink frothy sputum due to pulmonary edema?

• A. Congestive heart failure
• B. Pneumonia
• C. Croup
• D. Epiglottitis

Answer: (A)

Pink frothy sputum reflects fluid backing up into the lungs from left-sided heart failure, causing pulmonary edema. The high pressure in the pulmonary capillaries pushes fluid into the alveoli, and as this fluid mixes with air (and a little blood from capillary stress), the sputum becomes frothy and pink. This presentation is classic for congestive heart failure with pulmonary edema. Other conditions don’t fit this sign: pneumonia typically produces a productive cough with purulent or colored sputum from infection; croup presents with a barking cough and upper-airway signs like stridor; epiglottitis leads to drooling, fever, and airway obstruction rather than pink frothy sputum from edema.