How does acidosis affect potassium levels in the body?

Choice A reason: Red warm skin is not typical of pulmonary embolism. It may occur in infections or inflammation. Pulmonary embolism causes reduced lung perfusion, leading to hypoxia and systemic symptoms, not localized skin changes, making this choice incorrect.

Choice B reason: Dizziness occurs in pulmonary embolism due to reduced oxygen delivery to the brain from blocked pulmonary arteries, causing hypoxia. Decreased cardiac output from right heart strain also contributes, making this a correct manifestation of pulmonary embolism.

Choice C reason: Bradycardia is not typical; pulmonary embolism usually causes tachycardia as the heart compensates for hypoxia and increased pulmonary vascular resistance. Slow heart rate does not align with the body’s response to acute obstruction, making this incorrect.

Choice D reason: Hypoxia is a hallmark of pulmonary embolism, as blocked pulmonary arteries impair gas exchange, reducing oxygen in the blood. This leads to tissue oxygen deficiency, causing symptoms like shortness of breath, making this a correct manifestation.

Choice E reason: Chest pain in pulmonary embolism results from pleural irritation or ischemia due to blocked pulmonary arteries. The pain is often sharp and worsens with breathing, reflecting lung tissue stress, making this a correct manifestation.

Choice F reason: Tachypnea, or rapid breathing, occurs as the body attempts to compensate for hypoxia in pulmonary embolism. The respiratory system increases rate to improve oxygenation, a common response to impaired gas exchange, making this correct.

Choice A reason: Warm skin indicates adequate blood flow and perfusion, often seen in normal or hyperemic states. Poor perfusion, due to reduced blood flow, typically causes cool skin as less warm blood reaches tissues, making this choice incorrect for poor perfusion.

Choice B reason: Pink nailbeds reflect good oxygenation and perfusion, as hemoglobin carries oxygen effectively to capillaries. Poor perfusion leads to pale or cyanotic nailbeds due to reduced blood flow or oxygen delivery, making this choice incorrect for indicating poor perfusion.

Choice C reason: Strong pulses indicate robust blood flow and adequate perfusion, as the heart pumps blood effectively to peripheral tissues. Poor perfusion is associated with weak or thready pulses due to low cardiac output, making this choice incorrect.

Choice D reason: Pale lips indicate poor perfusion, as reduced blood flow to peripheral tissues results in less hemoglobin delivering oxygen, causing pallor. This is a classic sign of hypoperfusion, often seen in shock or circulatory compromise, making this the correct choice.