Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

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What condition is characterized by decreased oxygen levels in the lungs?

Hypoxemia
Hypercapnia
Hypoxia
Respiratory acidosis

The correct answer is: Hypoxia

The condition characterized by decreased oxygen levels in the lungs is hypoxemia. This condition specifically refers to lower than normal levels of oxygen in the blood, which can result from various respiratory problems, including impaired gas exchange in the lungs due to conditions like pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). When there is hypoxemia, the amount of oxygen in the arterial blood is reduced, leading to inadequate oxygen delivery to the body's tissues. This is distinctly different from hypoxia, which refers more broadly to reduced oxygen availability in tissues throughout the body, not just in the blood or lungs. Other conditions listed, like hypercapnia, involve excessive carbon dioxide in the blood, which does not directly relate to oxygen levels. Similarly, respiratory acidosis refers to a condition where the body retains carbon dioxide leading to decreased blood pH, but again, this does not directly address oxygen levels in the lungs. Therefore, hypoxemia is the most accurate term for decreased oxygen levels specifically in the lungs.