Sandra, a 20-year-old college runner, is having increasing difficulty keeping up

Question

Sandra, a 20-year-old college runner, is having increasing difficulty keeping up in what used to be “easy” workouts. She sees the team physician, who takes a careful history and performs a physical examination before ordering some standard blood tests. His findings reveal that Sandra is anemic, likely from dietary iron deficiency. Her hemoglobin level (Hgb) is 11.0 grams/100 mL blood (the normal range is 12.0 - 15.5). How does the partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) in Sandra’s blood at the present time compare to the partial pressure in her blood a year ago, when she had a Hgb of 13.5 grams/100mL? Assume that she is otherwise healthy.

Sandra, a 20-year-old college runner, is having increasing difficulty keeping up in what used to be "easy" workouts. She sees the team physician, who takes a careful history and performs a physical examination before ordering some standard blood tests. His findings reveal that Sandra is anemic, likely from dietary iron deficiency. Her hemoglobin level (Hgb) is 11.0 grams/100 mL blood (the normal range is 12.0 - 15.5). How does the partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) in Sandra's blood at the present time compare to the partial pressure in her blood a year ago, when she had a Hgb of 13.5 grams/100mL? Assume that she is otherwise healthy. The partial pressure is about the same as it was before. O The partial pressure is higher now than it was before. O The partial pressure is lower now than it was before There is insufficient information to predict the difference in partial pressure.

Explanation / Answer

The partial pressure of oxygen, also known as PaO2, is a measurement of oxygen in arterial blood. It shows how well oxygen is able to move from the lungs to the blood.

Since, her present Hgb level is 11.0 grams/100 mL blood than 13.5 grams/100 ml, a year ago, the partial pressure is lower now than it was before.

Hence, the correct option is partial pressure is lower now than it was before.

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