A patient with a normal PaO2 and cardiac output is exhibiting signs and symptoms of tissue hy-poxia. What is the most likely cause?

a. Hemoglobin deficiency
b. Low ambient PO2
c. Right-to-left shunt
d. Hypoventilation


ANS: A
If the blood hemoglobin is low—even when the PaO2 is normal—hypoxia can occur because of low O2 content in the arterial blood.

Health Professions

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A patient with severe chest pain hands you a bottle of nitroglycerin. After reading the label, you determine that the prescribed dose is two pills when chest pain is present, but the medication expired almost a month ago. You should:

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