Final answer:
Emphysema, a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, typically shows symptoms of shortness of breath, chronic cough, and wheezing. The disease is characterized by damaged alveoli leading to difficulties in gas exchange, resulting in low oxygen and high carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
Step-by-step explanation:
Common clinical manifestations observed in an individual with emphysema include persistent shortness of breath, especially upon exertion, and chronic cough, typically associated with long-term cigarette smoking. Patients may exhibit wheezing during expiration due to obstructed airways. The breakdown of connective tissues in the lungs results in less elastic alveoli, leading to air trapping and reduced gas exchange. This can cause hypoxemia, a lower-than-normal level of oxygen in the blood, and hypercapnia, an elevated level of carbon dioxide. During physical examinations, healthcare providers can also observe an elevated heart rate and hear crackles or decreased breath sounds when using a stethoscope.