Which condition is characterized by shortness of breath at rest, cyanosis, tachycardia, tachypnea, cough, and crackles or wheezing when symptoms occur after being at over 8,000 feet?

High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is characterized by symptoms such as shortness of breath at rest, cyanosis, tachycardia, tachypnea, cough, and crackles or wheezing, particularly after exposure to high altitudes (over 8,000 feet). This condition arises due to increased pressure in the pulmonary blood vessels leading to fluid accumulation in the lungs.

HAPE typically develops in individuals who ascend rapidly to high altitudes without adequate acclimatization, and its onset can be acute, often occurring within days after arrival at high altitude. The presence of crackles or wheezing is indicative of fluid in the airways and reflecting the compromised respiratory function resulting from the pulmonary edema. The combination of symptoms noted—especially being at rest and the specific altitude—aligns closely with the pathophysiology of HAPE, making it the most fitting answer in this scenario.

Other potential conditions like acute mountain sickness, arterial gas embolism, and high-altitude cerebral edema present with different symptomatology, emphasizing the distinctiveness of HAPE in this context.