Patient was hypoxic as evidenced by the low PaO2. Explain the pathologic processes that caused this patient’s hypoxemia.
Patient was hypoxic as evidenced by the low PaO2. Explain the pathologic processes that caused this patient’s hypoxemia.
Selected Answer:
Continuous flow of blood in the pulmonary artery results to lung consolidation with a subsequent V/Q mismatch. This process influences the release of mediators with an inflamed bronchi-alveolar membrane. However, when the surfactant becomes inactivated, the alveoli collapses, and gets filled with exudates which decreases the surface area for the exchange of gases.
Correct Answer:
Arterial hypoxemia early in acute pneumococcal pneumonia is principally caused by persistence of pulmonary artery blood flow to be consolidated lung resulting in an intrapulmonary shunt, and by ventilation-perfusion mismatch later. Release of mediators cause widespread inflammation of the bronchial structures, especially the alveolarcapillary membrane. The alveoli collapse due to inactivation of surfactant and the alveoli fill with exudate, decreasing surface area for gas exchange.