Which symptom is most commonly associated with pulmonary embolism?

Prepare for the ScribeAmerica Pathophysiology Test. Dive into detailed flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with helpful hints and thorough explanations. Equip yourself to excel in your exam!

Pulmonary embolism (PE) primarily results from a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries, often due to blood clots. The correct association of symptoms with pulmonary embolism includes pleuritic chest pain, tachycardia, and hypoxia.

Pleuritic chest pain arises because of inflammation of the pleura and can be quite sharp, especially during inhalation or coughing. Tachycardia, or increased heart rate, is a compensatory mechanism due to decreased oxygen levels in the blood as a result of the obstruction. Hypoxia indicates inadequate oxygen supply, which is a direct consequence of reduced blood flow to the lungs and is a critical symptom of a PE. Together, these symptoms indicate the body’s response to the impaired pulmonary function resulting from the embolism.

In contrast, other options describe symptoms that are not typical for pulmonary embolism. For instance, a productive cough with fever may suggest an infectious process like pneumonia rather than a PE. Severe headache and dizziness are more indicative of conditions such as migraines or stroke. Shortness of breath with wheezing aligns with conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rather than PE, as wheezing is not a common feature of PE. Therefore, pleuritic chest pain, tachy

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