[Expert Solution]: A patient with end-stage liver failure is…

A patient with end-stage liver failure is admitted to the ICU with fever, tachycardia, hypotension and tachypnea. His SpO2 is low at 85% on room air. On physical exam, he is severely jaundiced and noted to have scattered areas of petechiae on his trunk and large areas of bruising on all extremities. He has severe abdominal ascites. Despite a low mean arterial blood pressure, his peripheral extremities are warm with strong pulses. His lung sounds are decreased at the bases, but otherwise clear and he has no cough or sputum production. Which of the following accurately describes the pathophysiology of his tachypnea and low SpO2? You may select more than one answer. Atalectasis Increased extrathoracic airway resistance Loss of the hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction response Pulmonary edema due to increased pulmonary vascular resistance