Which symptoms are associated with chronic bronchitis, often referred to as "blue bloater"?

Chronic bronchitis is characterized by a chronic productive cough and is often associated with several physiological changes due to long-term inflammation and damage to the bronchial tubes. The description of patients with chronic bronchitis as "blue bloaters" refers to the classical presentation of symptoms that include hypoxemia—where insufficient oxygen reaches the bloodstream—leading to cyanosis (a bluish discoloration). As hypoxemia progresses, it can stimulate the production of more red blood cells, resulting in polycythemia.

Additionally, chronic bronchitis often leads to elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood, known as hypercapnia. This condition arises from airflow obstruction and impaired gas exchange due to chronic inflammation and mucus production that narrows the airways. Therefore, individuals with chronic bronchitis frequently present with hypoxemia, polycythemia, and hypercapnia, which are classic symptoms that underscore the pathology of the disease and its impact on respiratory function.

In contrast, the other choices do not reflect the hallmark features associated with chronic bronchitis. Symptoms such as hypertension or electrolyte imbalances don't typically represent chronic bronchitis. The signs of claudication and angina pertain more to cardiovascular issues, and while chronic cough and wheezing are indeed