Final answer:
The correct option is D. In a patient with severe shortness of breath and decreased oxygen levels, the color of the skin and nail beds is likely blue, indicative of cyanosis due to hypoxemia.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the clinical scenario described, the female patient is exhibiting severe shortness of breath and is unable to take in sufficient oxygen, a condition known as hypoxemia. An important clinical sign of hypoxemia is a change in skin and nail bed color.
As mentioned, with a prolonged reduction in oxygen levels, dark red deoxyhemoglobin becomes dominant in the blood, making the skin appear blue, a condition referred to as cyanosis. Therefore, the correct answer to what the color of the skin and nail beds would likely be is D. Bluish.