Which of the following symptoms is associated with dumping syndrome?

Dumping syndrome occurs when food moves too quickly from the stomach to the small intestine, leading to a variety of gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms. One of the hallmark features of dumping syndrome is associated with symptoms of rapid gastric emptying, which can manifest as cold, pale skin and hypotension.

When food rapidly enters the small intestine, it can cause a release of insulin, leading to a decrease in blood sugar once the food is absorbed. This drop in blood sugar, along with the high osmotic load in the small intestine, can result in fluid shifting, causing hypotension. The cold, pale skin is often a response to this shift as well as the body's reaction to stress and inadequate blood flow.

In contrast, weight gain is typically not a symptom of dumping syndrome; in fact, patients often experience weight loss due to malabsorption and dietary changes. Staggered gait and slurred speech are not directly associated with dumping syndrome, but may potentially arise from other underlying conditions or complications related to different issues altogether.

Therefore, the correct answer highlights the connection between cold, pale skin and hypotension as symptoms that can present in patients experiencing dumping syndrome.