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Septic shock is a serious condition resulting from the body’s response to systemic bacterial infections, which may impair oxygen uptake and delivery. What physiological change may result from septic shock which would decrease the ability of hemoglobin in the alveolar capillaries to become fully saturated with oxygen?
  • a)
    Increased blood pH
  • b)
    Decreased afferent capillary pO2
  • c)
    Increased capillary blood flow
  • d)
    Decreased alveolar wall thickness
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Septic shock is a serious condition resulting from the body’s re...
In septic shock, there is a dysregulated immune response to a systemic bacterial infection, leading to widespread inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. This can result in increased capillary blood flow as a compensatory mechanism to improve tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery.
However, increased capillary blood flow can reduce the ability of hemoglobin in the alveolar capillaries to become fully saturated with oxygen. This is because the increased blood flow can lead to a shorter transit time of red blood cells through the alveolar capillaries. As a result, there is less time for oxygen to equilibrate between the alveolar air and the blood, leading to a decreased ability of hemoglobin to fully bind with oxygen.
Therefore, in septic shock, the increased capillary blood flow can impair the ability of hemoglobin in the alveolar capillaries to become fully saturated with oxygen, contributing to a decrease in oxygen uptake and delivery.
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Most Upvoted Answer
Septic shock is a serious condition resulting from the body’s re...
Decreased capillary blood flow:
- Septic shock can lead to decreased capillary blood flow due to widespread vasodilation and increased vascular permeability.
- This decreased blood flow can result in reduced oxygen delivery to tissues, including alveolar capillaries.
- With decreased blood flow, hemoglobin in the alveolar capillaries may not have enough time to become fully saturated with oxygen as it passes through the lungs.
- This can lead to a decrease in the ability of hemoglobin to pick up oxygen in the alveolar capillaries, ultimately impairing oxygen uptake and delivery throughout the body.
Therefore, the physiological change of decreased capillary blood flow resulting from septic shock can decrease the ability of hemoglobin in the alveolar capillaries to become fully saturated with oxygen.
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Septic shock is a serious condition resulting from the body’s response to systemic bacterial infections, which may impair oxygen uptake and delivery. What physiological change may result from septic shock which would decrease the ability of hemoglobin in the alveolar capillaries to become fully saturated with oxygen?a)Increased blood pHb)Decreased afferent capillary pO2c)Increased capillary blood flowd)Decreased alveolar wall thicknessCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? for MCAT 2025 is part of MCAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the MCAT exam syllabus. Information about Septic shock is a serious condition resulting from the body’s response to systemic bacterial infections, which may impair oxygen uptake and delivery. What physiological change may result from septic shock which would decrease the ability of hemoglobin in the alveolar capillaries to become fully saturated with oxygen?a)Increased blood pHb)Decreased afferent capillary pO2c)Increased capillary blood flowd)Decreased alveolar wall thicknessCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for MCAT 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Septic shock is a serious condition resulting from the body’s response to systemic bacterial infections, which may impair oxygen uptake and delivery. What physiological change may result from septic shock which would decrease the ability of hemoglobin in the alveolar capillaries to become fully saturated with oxygen?a)Increased blood pHb)Decreased afferent capillary pO2c)Increased capillary blood flowd)Decreased alveolar wall thicknessCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?.
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