Anemia: PaO₂, saturation, and oxygen content
In a patient with severe iron-deficiency anemia and normal lungs, what are the expected arterial values?
Answer D: explanation for every choice
A
Low PaO2 would point to a lung or ventilation problem.
B
Low PaO2 with normal content doesn't fit anemia.
C
Saturation is a percentage of available hemoglobin and stays normal in anemia.
D
Correct. The lungs oxygenate blood normally, and the hemoglobin present is fully saturated, but there is less hemoglobin to carry O2.
TakeawayAnemia lowers O2 content. PaO2 and saturation stay normal.
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Reviewed 2026-11-05 by a medical student. Spot an error? Report it with question ID bb178.