Which of the following is NOT a symptom of pulmonary embolism?

The choice identifying "Chest pain" as NOT a symptom of pulmonary embolism may lead to some confusion, as it is indeed recognized that chest pain can occur in patients with pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism (PE) presents with a variety of symptoms that can overlap with other conditions, but chest pain is typically associated with PE and may manifest as sharp or pleuritic in nature, often worsening with inspiration.

Sudden shortness of breath is one of the hallmark symptoms of pulmonary embolism due to obstruction of blood flow in the pulmonary arteries, leading to hypoxemia. Oxygen desaturation is observed as the impaired blood flow hinders effective gas exchange in the lungs, resulting in lower levels of oxygen in the blood. Restlessness and anxiety can also be symptoms experienced by individuals with pulmonary embolism, often reflecting physiological distress due to inadequate oxygenation and the body's response to sudden health changes.

Understanding these symptoms helps in the rapid identification and treatment of pulmonary embolism, which is crucial, as it can be life-threatening without prompt intervention. Therefore, it is important to accurately differentiate the symptoms associated with pulmonary embolism to ensure effective clinical response.