A patient presents with severe chest pain and shortness of breath and is diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. The embolism most likely originated from the:

Choice A reason: Autosomal-recessive disorders affect both males and females equally because the gene in question is located on one of the autosomes (non-sex chromosomes). Each individual has two copies of each autosomal gene, one from each parent. An autosomal-recessive disorder manifests when an individual inherits two copies of a mutant gene, one from each parent. Therefore, gender does not influence the likelihood of being affected.

Choice B reason: Autosomal-dominant disorders also affect both males and females equally. These disorders occur when a single copy of a mutant gene on an autosome is sufficient to cause the disorder. Since autosomes are present in both males and females equally, the likelihood of inheriting an autosomal-dominant disorder is not influenced by gender.

Choice C reason: Chromosomal nondisjunction refers to errors in cell division that result in an abnormal number of chromosomes. While some conditions resulting from chromosomal nondisjunction can show gender bias (such as Turner syndrome affecting females and Klinefelter syndrome affecting males), it is not accurate to say that males are generally more likely than females to be affected by chromosomal nondisjunction.

Choice D reason: X-linked (sex-linked) disorders are more likely to affect males than females because the gene causing the disorder is located on the X chromosome. Males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY), while females have two X chromosomes (XX). If a male inherits a mutant gene on the X chromosome, he will express the disorder because he does not have a second X chromosome to mask the effect. In contrast, females would need two copies of the mutant gene (one on each X chromosome) to express the disorder, making it less likely for them to be affected.

Choice A reason: Dry mouth is a relatively minor side effect of statin medications and is generally not a cause for significant concern. While it can be uncomfortable and may affect oral health if persistent, it does not typically indicate a serious underlying condition.

Choice B reason: Diarrhea can be an inconvenient and uncomfortable side effect of statins, but it is not usually considered dangerous. It is important to manage it to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, but it is not as concerning as some other side effects.

Choice C reason: Muscle pain, also known as myalgia, is the most concerning side effect of statin medications like simvastatin. In rare cases, muscle pain can progress to a more serious condition called rhabdomyolysis, where muscle tissue breaks down rapidly, releasing a protein called myoglobin into the bloodstream. This can lead to kidney damage and, in severe cases, kidney failure. Therefore, any new or unexplained muscle pain should be promptly reported to a healthcare provider for evaluation.

Choice D reason: Headache is a common and generally mild side effect of many medications, including statins. While it can be bothersome, it is not typically indicative of a serious problem and is not considered as concerning as muscle pain related to statin use.