A patient presents with cough, splashing sounds in the chest, and a pale tongue. What is the Lung zang-fu pattern?

The Lung zang-fu pattern identified here is Phlegm-Fluids Obstructing Lungs, which aligns with the symptoms of cough, splashing sounds in the chest, and a pale tongue.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the presence of splashing sounds in the chest often indicates an accumulation of fluids or phlegm in the lung area. This symptom suggests that there is excess fluid retention that obstructs the normal function of the lungs. The pale tongue further supports the diagnosis, as it typically reflects a deficiency or the presence of internal dampness. In TCM, a pale tongue is often associated with a lack of 'yang' energy and can indicate the presence of fluids or phlegm, particularly when combined with the other symptoms presented.

Understanding the context of other patterns helps clarify why Phlegm-Fluids Obstructing Lungs is the correct choice. For example, while Damp-Phlegm Obstructing Lungs might also involve cough and phlegm, the key differentiator here is the emphasis on "fluids" rather than just damp phlegm, which points to a more significant fluid retention scenario. Additionally, Phlegm-Heat Obstructing Lungs would present with more heat symptoms,