Final answer:
Constriction of the bronchioles, or bronchoconstriction, leads to decreased pulmonary ventilation (VA), a decrease in the partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) in the pulmonary capillaries, and a decrease in the ventilation/perfusion ratio (VA/Q), meaning the correct answers are e) Answers c and d are correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
If bronchioles are constricted, this typically means that there's an increase in resistance to airflow through the respiratory tract. Constriction of the bronchioles, also known as bronchoconstriction, can lead to less air reaching the alveoli, which is known as pulmonary ventilation (VA). The other term in the question, Q, refers to the pulmonary blood flow. If the bronchioles are constricted, it would not necessarily affect Q unless there were associated changes in the pulmonary circulation.
When the bronchioles constrict, the partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) in the pulmonary capillaries will decrease because less oxygen is reaching the alveoli due to decreased ventilation. In terms of the ventilation/perfusion ratio (VA/Q), which reflects the efficiency of gas exchange in the lungs, vasoconstriction of the bronchioles would likely cause this ratio to decrease, as the ventilation part of the equation is reduced.
Therefore, among the given options, the correct answers would be e) Answers c and d are correct, meaning that both the PO2 in the pulmonary capillaries will decrease and VA/Q will decrease as a result of bronchiole constriction.