A patient with asthma is extremely short of breath and hypoxic. Related to the ventilation/perfusion ratio (V/Q), the EMT would recognize the problem lying in:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ventilation/perfusion ratio (V/Q) relates the amount of air reaching the alveoli (ventilation) to the amount of blood reaching the alveoli (perfusion). In asthma, the airways become narrowed or obstructed, leading to inadequate ventilation, while blood continues to perfuse the alveoli. This results in a decrease in V/Q ratio, leading to inadequate oxygen in the alveoli and subsequently hypoxia. Therefore, choice A is the correct answer.

A Patient with Asthma Is Extremely Short of Breath and Hypoxic