The student asks the healthcare professional to explain how pulmonary edema and pulmonary fibrosis cause hypoxemia. What description by the professional is best?
A)Creates alveolar dead space
B)Decreases the oxygen in inspired gas
C)Creates a right-to-left shunt
D)Impairs alveolocapillary membrane diffusion

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Diffusion of oxygen through the alveolocapillary membrane is impaired if the alveolocapillary membrane is thickened or if the surface area available for diffusion is decreased. Abnormal thickness, as occurs with edema (tissue swelling) and fibrosis (formation of fibrous lesions), increases the time required for diffusion across the alveolocapillary membrane. These diseases do not create dead space, decrease the FIo₂ of inspired air, or create a shunt.

The Student Asks the Healthcare Professional to Explain How Pulmonary