Physiology Workshop

Question 1

Describe alveolar PO2, oxygen carrying capacity and O2 content in the following cases
- severe hypoxia with normal blood, following acute ascent to 8000m above altitude
- Excessive RBC production
- Severe hypoventilation
- Polycythaemia and hypoxia
- Anaemia with normal respiratory sysetm
- Anaemic patient breathing oxygen-enriched air
- Carbon monoxide poisoning

Answer 1

• Severe hypoxia - Reduced alveolar PO2 and O2 content of blood. Normal O2 carrying capacity
• Excessive RBC production - Normal alveolar PO2. Increased oxygen carrying capacity and O2 content of blood
• Hypoventilation - Same as severe hypoxia
• Polycythaemia and hypoxia - Low alveolar PO2. High oxygen carrying capacity. Low/normal O2 content of blood
• Anaemia - Normal alveolar PO2. Low oxygen O2 carrying capacity and content of blood
• Oxygen-enriched air - same as anaemia but high alveolar PO2.
• CO - same as anaemia