Hypemic hypoxia is a type of hypoxia caused by what primary factor?

• A. Oxygen deficiency in the lungs due to insufficient inhaled oxygen.
• B. Oxygen deficiency in the blood caused by insufficient oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
• C. Excess oxygen in the blood.
• D. Increased carbon dioxide in the blood.

Answer: (B)

Hypemic hypoxia happens when the blood can't carry enough oxygen to the tissues. Even if the lungs are providing normal oxygen, a problem with the blood’s carrying capacity means not enough oxygen reaches cells. This can occur with anemia (low amount of hemoglobin or red blood cells) or when hemoglobin’s ability to bind or release oxygen is impaired, such as with carbon monoxide binding to hemoglobin or with methemoglobinemia. So the primary factor is insufficient oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, not a failure of oxygen entering the lungs, an excess of oxygen, or elevated carbon dioxide.