AGE signs include which of the following symptoms?

• A. High fever
• B. Muscle cramps
• C. Bloody sputum
• D. Diarrhea

Answer: (C)

Arterial Gas Embolism (AGE) presents with signs from gas bubbles in the bloodstream that can affect the lungs, brain, and other organs. A classic pulmonary sign is coughing up blood (hemoptysis) due to small-vessel bleeding caused by bubble-related injury. That makes bloody sputum the best match among the options, since it directly reflects pulmonary involvement from AGE.

High fever would point more toward infection, not AGE. Muscle cramps can occur with diving for various reasons but aren’t hallmark indicators of AGE. Diarrhea is a gastrointestinal symptom and not typically associated with AGE. In a real scenario, recognizing AGE involves an abrupt onset after ascent and signs of both respiratory or neurological compromise, and the treatment priority is 100% oxygen and rapid recompression.