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Physiology Respiratory System Pa 1 4b774530

A 49-year-old man has a pulmonary embolism that completely blocks blood flow to his left lung. As a result, which of the following will occur?

A
Ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) ratio in the left lung will be zero
B
Systemic aerial PO2 will be elevated
C
V/Q ratio in the left lung will be lower than in the right lung
D
Alveolar PO2 in the left lung will be approximately equal to the PO2 in inspired air
High-Yield Explanation
Alveolar PO2 in the left lung will equal the PO2 in inspired air-No blood flow to the left lung- No gas exchange between the alveolar air and the pulmonary capillary blood-Consequently, O2 is not added to the capillary blood. The ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) ratio in the left lung will be infinite (not zero or lower than that in the normal right lung) because Q (the denominator) is zero. Systemic aerial PO2 will, of course, be decreased because the left lung has no gas exchange. Alveolar PO2 in the right lung is unaffected.

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