What might a patient with a Pulmonary Embolism cough up?

A patient with a pulmonary embolism may cough up blood, a condition known as hemoptysis. This occurs because the blockage in the lungs caused by the embolism can lead to increased pressure in the blood vessels and subsequent rupture of those vessels. As a result, blood can leak into the lung tissue and airway, prompting the individual to cough it up. Hemoptysis is a serious clinical sign and often requires immediate medical attention to address the underlying cause of the pulmonary embolism and any resulting lung damage.

The other options do not appropriately relate to the clinical context of a pulmonary embolism. For example, pleasant-tasting mucus or clear fluid would not typically be expected in this scenario, as the presence of blood is what makes hemoptysis the key symptom associated with this condition. Frothy sputum is more commonly associated with pulmonary edema rather than a pulmonary embolism. Hence, the presence of blood in the cough reflects a critical symptom that aligns with the physiological changes occurring in a patient experiencing a pulmonary embolism.