Review Question - QID 100816

This patient presents with Crohn's disease, which can cause anemia of chronic disease. Patients with anemia of chronic disease have low hematocrit leading to a reduced oxygen carrying capacity.

In anemia of chronic disease, the kidney produces less erythropoietin which leads to a normocytic anemia. Anemia results in reduced O2 carrying capacity and can lead to symptoms like headache, easy fatigability and shortness of breath. In anemic states, the dissolved O2 (Pa02) and oxygen saturation (SaO2) typically remain normal. Remember that the total oxygen content of blood is a function of the hemoglobin concentration, the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin, and the partial pressure of oxygen dissolved in the blood, though the latter plays an insignificant role in most instances (exception would be CO poisoning).

Incorrect Answers:
These all represent other oxygenation states.
Answer 1: This describes a normal oxygenation state.
Answer 2: This describes an acute lack of oxygen.
Answer 3: This description is typical of a patient at high altitude.
Answer 5: This description is typical of a patient receiving hyperbaric oxygen.