What physical characteristic is common in patients identified as "pink puffers"?

Patients identified as "pink puffers" often exhibit a thin build, which is associated with emphysema, a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Individuals with emphysema typically have difficulty expelling air from their lungs due to damage to the alveoli, leading to shortness of breath. As their condition progresses, they may experience a higher energy expenditure during breathing, which can contribute to weight loss and a lean physique.

The term "pink puffer" refers not only to the pale coloration of the skin and lips that can result from reduced oxygen levels but also to the characteristic posture these patients often adopt—primarily breathing with pursed lips and engaging their accessory muscles to help with respiration. This can give the appearance of a person who is working hard to breathe but maintains a relatively normal color, hence "pink."

In contrast, the other options do not align with the typical characteristics associated with "pink puffers." For instance, cyanosis (a bluish discoloration) is more commonly seen in patients known as "blue bloaters," who typically suffer from chronic bronchitis. The barrel-shaped chest is more frequently observed in patients with emphysema but is not as defining a characteristic as the thin build. Weight