What is an example of a gas embolism?

A gas embolism occurs when gas bubbles enter the bloodstream and disrupt normal circulation. This can lead to serious complications, including tissue ischemia and organ damage. The presence of an air bubble entering the bloodstream is a classic example of a gas embolism, as the air can displace blood and cause blockages in the blood vessels.

In cases such as decompression sickness, during which divers ascend too quickly and form nitrogen bubbles, air bubbles in the blood can cause significant harm. Air embolisms can also occur in other situations, such as trauma or surgical procedures when air inadvertently enters the vascular system.

The other options provided do not fit the definition of a gas embolism as directly as the example given. Aspirin and liquid nitrogen are substances that do not form gas bubbles within the bloodstream, while carbon dioxide can theoretically enter the body but poses different physiological effects and is not typically classified in the same direct context as air embolisms in hyperbaric medicine.