What effect would hypercapnia and metabolic acidemia have on the pulmonary vascular system?
A) Metabolic acidemia would cause vasodilation and hypercapnia would cause vasoconstriction
B) Both would cause vasodilation
C) Both would cause vasoconstriction
D) Hypercapnia would cause vasoconstriction but metabolic acidemia would not affect the pulmonary vascular system

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Both hypercapnia (increased CO2 levels in the blood) and metabolic acidemia (decreased pH from non-respiratory causes) lead to vasoconstriction in the pulmonary vascular system. This is part of the body's mechanism to redirect blood flow to areas of the lung with better ventilation and gas exchange.

What Effect Would Hypercapnia and Metabolic Acidemia Have on the Pulmonary