Hypemic, or anemic, hypoxia is caused by which factor?

Hypemic, or anemic, hypoxia is caused by which factor?

• A. Not enough O2 in air
• B. Excess O2 in lungs
• C. The reduction in blood's O2-carrying capacity
• D. Poor O2 utilization by tissues

Answer: (C)

Hypemic, or anemic, hypoxia occurs when the blood’s ability to carry oxygen is reduced. Even if the lungs are delivering oxygen normally and arterial oxygen is adequate, there isn’t enough oxygen bound to hemoglobin to deliver to tissues. This can happen with fewer red blood cells or less hemoglobin (anemia) or when hemoglobin can’t bind oxygen properly (as in carbon monoxide poisoning or methemoglobinemia). Because the issue is the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity, not the oxygen in the air, not the lungs’ function, and not the tissues’ ability to use oxygen, the root problem is a reduction in the blood’s O2-carrying capacity.

Hypemic, or anemic, hypoxia occurs when the blood’s ability to carry oxygen is reduced. Even if the lungs are delivering oxygen normally and arterial oxygen is adequate, there isn’t enough oxygen bound to hemoglobin to deliver to tissues. This can happen with fewer red blood cells or less hemoglobin (anemia) or when hemoglobin can’t bind oxygen properly (as in carbon monoxide poisoning or methemoglobinemia). Because the issue is the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity, not the oxygen in the air, not the lungs’ function, and not the tissues’ ability to use oxygen, the root problem is a reduction in the blood’s O2-carrying capacity.