Final answer:
A sign of PE specific to an air embolus may include sudden onset of respiratory distress and hypotension, along with a miller's sign audible as a mill-wheel murmur. These symptoms require immediate medical attention.
Step-by-step explanation:
A sign of a pulmonary embolism (PE) specific to an air embolus can be quite distinct from one caused by a blood clot. While symptoms such as difficulty breathing and chest pain, common in pulmonary edema, are also seen in PE, an air embolism may be characterized by symptoms occurring quickly after a precipitating event like a medical procedure. Sudden onset of respiratory distress, a sense of impending doom, a drop in blood pressure (hypotension), and altered mental status are indications of an air embolus. Additionally, the patient may exhibit a miller's sign, which is a mill-wheel murmur — a specific audible sound of churning heard over the heart with a stethoscope. The crepitus may also be felt by a clinician over the chest, which is caused by air trapped under the skin. Immediate medical care is essential for any suspected cases of air embolus as it is a life-threatening condition that can lead to rapid deterioration.