Question

Hypoxemia occurs when the partial pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood (PaO2) is:

A. <80 mmHg.
B. <100 mmHg.
C. <150 mmHg.
D. <200 mmHg.

Answer 1

Hypoxemia is defined as a condition where there is a low level of oxygen in the arterial blood, and it occurs when the arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) is less than 80 mmHg.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term hypoxemia refers to a condition where there is a low level of oxygen in the systemic arterial blood. This is measured by the partial pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood (PaO2). Normal PaO2 values typically range from 75 to 100 mm Hg.

Hypoxemia is generally defined as a PaO2 value below normal, but the specific threshold can vary slightly depending on the source.

From the provided information, a PaO2 value of less than 100 mm Hg would be considered lower than the normal partial pressure of oxygen in the blood of the pulmonary veins, indicating hypoxemia. In the context of the question asking at what value of PaO2 hypoxemia occurs, the answer would be: A. <80 mmHg.