What term is used to describe a "pink puffer," which is associated with emphysema?

The term "pink puffer" refers specifically to a clinical presentation commonly associated with emphysema, a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This designation highlights key characteristics observed in patients.

Patients classified as "pink puffers" typically exhibit a pink complexion due to adequate oxygenation, despite their respiratory distress. They often experience significant dyspnea and engage in hyperventilation as a compensatory mechanism to maintain oxygen levels against the backdrop of limited airflow caused by destroyed alveoli and loss of lung elasticity. The hyperventilation further contributes to their ability to maintain a normal or nearly normal color, distinguishing them from individuals who may display more cyanotic or blue-tinged features due to hypoxemia.

Other options present characteristics that do not align with this classification. The description of "blush face, coughing, wheezing" tends to be more characteristic of other pulmonary conditions, such as asthma. "Pale complexion, orthopnea, tachypnea" suggests a more severe level of respiratory compromise typically seen in conditions with greater acute hypoxemia, while "flushed face, cyanosis, bradypnea" indicates a severe respiratory failure scenario, which is not typical for the presentation of emphysema.