Block 3 Respiratory Dr. Nene

Question 1

What are the 5 causes of Hypoxemia and Why?

Answer 1

(1) High altitude; less oxygen is in the air
(2) Hypoventilation; respiratory rate decreased, maybe from drugs (overdose of barbiturates)
(3) Diffusion impairment; (fibrosis, decreasing the rate of diffusion or by a pulmonary embolism)
(4) Right to left shunt (usually in the lungs, but can be in the heart); (collapse of lung or septal defect)
(5) Abnormal ventilation/perfusion ratios.