Blood Gas Measurements in a Patient on Room Air Indicates

Multiple Choice

Blood gas measurements in a patient on room air indicates that his systemic arterial oxygen content is normal (19.5 ml O₂/100 ml blood) , but his systemic venous oxygen content is low (6 ml O₂/100 ml blood) . This is characteristic of which of the following?

A) V/Q less than normal
B) An increase in physiological dead space
C) Pulmonary edema
D) Low hemoglobin concentration
E) Low cardiac output