A 55-Year-Old Man Is Hospitalized with Severe Abdominal Pain Associated

A 55-year-old man is hospitalized with severe abdominal pain associated with nausea and vomiting.  Laboratory studies show marked elevation of serum amylase and lipase.  He has a history of heavy alcohol use.  During hospitalization, his condition deteriorates and he develops severe respiratory distress.  There are crackles bilaterally on physical examination and diffuse patchy infiltrates bilaterally on chest x-ray.  The patient fails to improve with mechanical ventilation and 100% oxygen and dies 4 days later due to progressive respiratory failure.  Which of the following autopsy findings is most likely in this patient?

A) Alveolar hyaline membranes
B) Cardiomegaly
C) Foci of anaerobic pulmonary infection
D) Intraalveolar hemorrhage
E) Lung hyperinflation

Correct Answer:

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