What manifestation is consistent with a diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism?

Choice A reason: Fluid excess causes weight gain due to increased water retention in tissues and vascular spaces. This is common in conditions like heart failure or renal dysfunction, where fluid accumulates, increasing body mass, making this a correct manifestation.

Choice B reason: Edema, swelling from fluid accumulation in interstitial spaces, is a hallmark of fluid excess. It occurs when hydrostatic or oncotic pressures are imbalanced, as in heart or kidney failure, making this a correct manifestation.

Choice C reason: Fluid excess typically increases blood pressure due to expanded blood volume, as seen in heart failure. Decreased blood pressure is not a direct result of fluid overload, making this choice incorrect for fluid excess.

Choice D reason: Crackles in the lungs occur in fluid excess, as fluid leaks into alveoli (pulmonary edema) due to increased hydrostatic pressure, often in heart failure. This impairs gas exchange, making this a correct manifestation.

Choice E reason: Jugular vein distension results from fluid excess increasing venous pressure, often in right heart failure. Expanded blood volume distends neck veins, a visible sign of fluid overload, making this a correct manifestation.

Choice A reason: Excessive plasma proteins increase oncotic pressure, pulling fluid into the vascular space, reducing edema. Edema occurs with low plasma proteins (e.g., hypoalbuminemia), as in liver or kidney disease, which decreases oncotic pressure, causing fluid leakage, making this choice incorrect.

Choice B reason: Lymph node dysfunction impairs lymphatic drainage, leading to fluid accumulation in tissues, causing edema (lymphedema). The lymphatic system normally returns interstitial fluid to circulation, so its failure results in swelling, particularly in extremities, making this the correct cause of edema.

Choice C reason: Decreased capillary permeability reduces fluid leakage into tissues, preventing edema. Edema occurs with increased permeability, as in inflammation, allowing fluid to escape into the interstitial space, making this choice incorrect as it opposes the mechanism of edema formation.

Choice D reason: Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure reduces the force pushing fluid out of capillaries, decreasing edema. Edema is caused by increased hydrostatic pressure, as in heart failure, which forces fluid into tissues, making this choice incorrect for causing edema.