Besides dyspnea, what is the most common characteristic associated with pulmonary disease?

A. Is caused by hypertrophy and hyperplasia with associated fibrosis of the intima and media: While these changes can occur in the vascular walls over time due to hypertension, they are not the primary cause of primary hypertension itself. Primary hypertension is more complex and multifactorial.

B. Underactivity of the sympathetic nervous system and the RAAS: Primary hypertension is characterized by increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), not underactivity. Increased activity of these systems contributes to elevated blood pressure.

C. Is caused by complicated interactions of genetics and the environment without evidence of a specific causative agent: This statement accurately describes primary hypertension, which results from a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors such as diet, physical activity, and stress. There is no single identifiable cause for primary hypertension, making this the correct answer.

D. Is caused by systemic disease that raises peripheral vascular resistance and/or cardiac output: This statement pertains more to secondary hypertension, which is due to identifiable causes such as kidney disease, endocrine disorders, or other systemic diseases. Primary hypertension does not arise from a specific systemic disease but rather from multifactorial influences.

A. Veins that are most susceptible to a deep vein thrombosis are the peroneal, posterior tibial, popliteal and superficial femoral: This statement is correct. These veins are indeed among the most common sites for the development of DVT.

B. DVTs tend to mostly occur in the lower extremities but can occur in the upper extremities too: This statement is also correct. While DVTs primarily occur in the lower extremities, they can occur in the upper extremities as well, particularly in individuals with risk factors such as central venous catheters or certain medical conditions.

C. A DVT is a type of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which is a blood clot that starts in the vein: This statement is correct. DVTs are indeed classified as venous thromboembolism, which refers to blood clots that form in the venous system.

D. A deep vein thrombosis in the lower extremity has a low probability of becoming a pulmonary embolism: This statement is incorrect. A deep vein thrombosis in the lower extremity has a significant risk of becoming a pulmonary embolism if a thrombus dislodges and travels to the pulmonary circulation. It is essential to monitor and treat DVTs to reduce the risk of complications like pulmonary embolism.