Which of the following is a common symptom of cadmium poisoning?

Cadmium poisoning typically affects the kidneys significantly, leading to dysfunction. This is due to cadmium's nephrotoxic properties, which can result in renal tubular damage. Chronic exposure to cadmium can lead to symptoms such as proteinuria, glucosuria, and even deterioration in kidney function. As the kidneys are crucial for filtering waste and balancing electrolytes, their dysfunction can contribute to a slew of health issues, making it a notable symptom of cadmium exposure.

While respiratory distress, muscle spasms, and nausea can occur in various types of toxic exposures or illnesses, they are not specifically characteristic of cadmium poisoning. Respiratory issues might arise from inhalation of cadmium dust, but they are not the hallmark symptoms of systemic poisoning by cadmium. Muscle spasms might be related to other conditions, and nausea can happen for many reasons, including other types of toxic ingestion or gastrointestinal distress, but they are less indicative of cadmium's specific effects on the body compared to kidney dysfunction. Thus, kidney dysfunction stands out as the common and significant symptom associated with cadmium poisoning.