Low level of oxygen in the blood is known as? & x20; - RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2019

RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2019

Applied Physiology

Easy

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2019

Explanation

Hypoxemia specifically refers to a reduced partial pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood (PaO2).
The term directly addresses the location specified in the question, which is the 'blood'. The suffix '-emia' denotes a blood condition.
It is a laboratory finding confirmed by an Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) analysis or can be inferred from a low oxygen saturation (SpO2) reading on a pulse oximeter.
Untreated hypoxemia is a primary cause of hypoxia (tissue oxygen deficiency).

Option A: Cyanosis is a clinical sign, not the underlying condition. It is the bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes that occurs as a late indicator of severe hypoxemia.
Option B: Anoxemia refers to a complete absence or total lack of oxygen in the blood. This is a more extreme and severe condition than a 'low level' of oxygen.
Option C: Hypoxia refers to a deficiency of oxygen at the tissue and cellular level. While it is often a consequence of hypoxemia, the term itself does not describe the state of the blood.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Terminology for oxygen deficiency states helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses must accurately differentiate these terms to interpret clinical signs (like cyanosis) and lab values (like PaO2 from an ABG) correctly.
Early detection of hypoxemia through pulse oximetry (monitoring SpO2) is a critical nursing intervention to prevent the progression to hypoxia, which can cause irreversible organ damage, especially to the brain and heart.
What if? If a patient shows signs of hypoxia (e.g., confusion, restlessness) but has a normal SpO2 (no hypoxemia), the nurse should consider conditions that impair oxygen use by tissues, such as cyanide poisoning, or conditions that reduce oxygen-carrying capacity without affecting saturation, like severe anemia.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrases in the question stem: 'low level of oxygen' and 'in the blood'.
Analyze the options provided, recognizing they are all related to oxygen deficiency.
Recall the specific medical definitions for each term. Pay attention to prefixes and suffixes. The suffix '-emia' specifically refers to a condition of the blood.
Differentiate between a condition occurring in the blood (hypoxemia) versus one occurring in the tissues (hypoxia).
Eliminate 'cyanosis' because it is a clinical sign, not the condition itself.
Eliminate 'anoxemia' as it signifies a total absence of oxygen, which is more severe than a 'low level'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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