Which of the following occurs during the expiratory phase of respiration?

A. The trachea is the windpipe that carries air to the lungs. While it plays a role in respiration, it does not protect the airway during swallowing.

B. The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage that covers the trachea during swallowing, preventing food or liquid from entering the airway and directing it to the esophagus.

C. The uvula is part of the soft palate that helps in the swallowing process but does not directly protect the airway. It assists in preventing food from entering the nasal cavity.

D. The pharynx is the passageway for both air and food, but it does not provide protection to the airway during swallowing. The epiglottis is the main structure responsible for this protection.

A. Low blood pressure is not typically associated with elevated potassium levels. While severe hyperkalemia can impact the cardiovascular system, it does not directly cause low blood pressure as a primary symptom.

B. Rapid respirations are generally associated with conditions like acidosis or respiratory distress but are not a primary consequence of elevated potassium levels.

C. Elevated potassium levels are not typically associated with constipation. In fact, hyperkalemia can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or abdominal cramping, but constipation is more commonly linked to conditions like low potassium levels (hypokalemia).

D. Elevated potassium levels, or hyperkalemia, can cause cardiac irregularities such as arrhythmias, which can be life-threatening if not managed promptly. This is the most significant and direct effect of high potassium levels in the blood.