What is a common manifestation of fluid retention due to heart failure?

Fluid retention is a characteristic feature of heart failure and can lead to various clinical manifestations. Pitting edema is one such manifestation, which occurs when excess fluid accumulates in the interstitial spaces of the tissues. This results in swelling that, when pressure is applied, leaves a temporary indentation or "pit" on the skin once the pressure is released.

In heart failure, the heart's ability to pump blood effectively is compromised, leading to increased venous pressure and subsequent fluid leakage into surrounding tissues. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable in the extremities—such as the legs and feet—where gravity influences fluid distribution. Pitting edema is thus a direct reflection of the underlying pathophysiology of heart failure, making it a common and recognizable sign in patients experiencing fluid retention.

The other options, while they may be associated with various health conditions, do not typically signify fluid retention associated with heart failure. Skin discoloration can be due to numerous factors but isn't specifically linked to fluid overload. Pulmonary embolism is a critical event related to vascular issues, and wound healing issues are generally not focused on fluid retention but rather on nutritional status or vascularity. Thus, pitting edema is the most relevant and direct manifestation of fluid retention in heart failure.