Blood gas measurements in a patient on room air indicates that his systemic arterial oxygen content is normal (19.5 ml O₂/100 ml blood), but his systemic venous oxygen content is low (6 ml O₂/100 ml blood). This is characteristic of which of the following?
A)V/Q less than normal
B)An increase in physiological dead space
C)Pulmonary edema
D)Low hemoglobin concentration
E)Low cardiac output

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This scenario indicates a low systemic venous oxygen content, which suggests that tissues are extracting more oxygen than usual, a common characteristic of low cardiac output. In conditions of low cardiac output, the body compensates by extracting more oxygen from the blood to meet metabolic demands, leading to a lower venous oxygen content.

Blood Gas Measurements in a Patient on Room Air Indicates