Secondary polycythemia is an appropriate erythropoietin-induced adaptive mechanism to improve the blood's O2-carrying capacity in response to a prolonged reduction in O2 delivery to the tissues.

Question

Secondary polycythemia is an appropriate erythropoietin-induced adaptive mechanism to improve the blood's O2-carrying capacity in response to a prolonged reduction in O2 delivery to the tissues.​

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Secondary polycythemia is a normal physiological response to hypoxia (low oxygen levels) which stimulates the production of erythropoietin hormone leading to an increase in the number of red blood cells to improve oxygen-carrying capacity. This adaptation helps to maintain an adequate tissue oxygenation level in response to prolonged hypoxia at high altitude or in other conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, or congenital heart disease.

Secondary Polycythemia Is an Appropriate Erythropoietin-Induced Adaptive Mechanism to Improve