Question about severe hypoxemia

Started by steven1174
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steven1174

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Hey folks...

I have a question for anyone willing and able....

Name any clinical condition in which the patient would have severe hypoxemia but a normal A-a gradient. Hint: You will see this in the emergency room commonly.

What is it and if possible quick explanation.

Thanks!
 
Something that's causing drastic hypoventilation....such as a narcotic OD....would produce a "normal" A-a gradient despite severe hypoxemia.
 
Praetorian said:
Something that's causing drastic hypoventilation....such as a narcotic OD....would produce a "normal" A-a gradient despite severe hypoxemia.
Click to expand...


that's what I was going to say.........anything that causes hypoventilation such as patient splinting his breathing due to severe pain or narcotic OD would cause hypoxemia, but would have nothing to do with a diffusion impairment in the lungs themselves.

We had a thread on this like a year ago or something if I remember correctly. do a search on it.

later
 
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