Question

Which of the following types of polycythemia is most often associated with emphysema?

1) Secondary polycythemia
2) Primary polycythemia
3) Relative polycythemia
4) Absolute polycythemia

Answer 1

Secondary polycythemia is most often associated with emphysema as the body compensates for reduced oxygenation by increasing red blood cell production.

Step-by-step explanation:

The type of polycythemia most often associated with emphysema is secondary polycythemia. Emphysema, a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), leads to poor oxygenation due to damage to the alveoli and reduced lung function. As a compensatory mechanism, the body increases the production of red blood cells (RBCs) to try to deliver more oxygen to the tissues, resulting in secondary polycythemia. This is different from primary polycythemia, or polycythemia vera, which is a bone marrow disease causing excessive production of RBCs, and from relative polycythemia, which is usually due to dehydration and leads to a transient rise in hematocrit.