Question

Why would a patient with left side papillary muscle damage have a lower oxygen saturation level?

a. His heart is beating too fast
b. His heart valves cannot close and therefore blood is not being pushed throughout the body
c. His heart is beating out of order
d. His blood pressure is too high and the blood is moving too fast to oxygenate the tissues

Answer 1

Papillary muscle damage on the left side of the heart can cause lower oxygen saturation levels due to inefficient blood circulation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Papillary muscle damage on the left side of the heart can lead to lower oxygen saturation levels in a patient. This is because the left side of the heart is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. If the papillary muscles are damaged, the heart valves may not be able to close properly, causing blood to leak back into the left atrium instead of being pushed out effectively. As a result, less oxygenated blood is being circulated throughout the body, leading to lower oxygen saturation levels.