Study for the Respiratory Therapy Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, featuring hints and explanations. Prepare for your exam successfully!

Multiple Choice

Compute Qs/Qt given CcO2 18, CaO2 14, CvO2 10.

The main idea is the shunt fraction Qs/Qt, calculated with the shunt equation: Qs/Qt = (CcO2 − CaO2) / (CcO2 − CvO2). This ratio estimates the portion of blood flow that bypasses oxygenation in the lungs. Plug in the values: CcO2 = 18, CaO2 = 14, CvO2 = 10. Numerator is 18 − 14 = 4. Denominator is 18 − 10 = 8. So Qs/Qt = 4/8 = 0.5. This means 0.5, or 50% of the cardiac output, is effectively shunted away from oxygenation (a markedly high value compared with normal physiology).

The main idea is the shunt fraction Qs/Qt, calculated with the shunt equation: Qs/Qt = (CcO2 − CaO2) / (CcO2 − CvO2). This ratio estimates the portion of blood flow that bypasses oxygenation in the lungs.

Plug in the values: CcO2 = 18, CaO2 = 14, CvO2 = 10. Numerator is 18 − 14 = 4. Denominator is 18 − 10 = 8. So Qs/Qt = 4/8 = 0.5.

This means 0.5, or 50% of the cardiac output, is effectively shunted away from oxygenation (a markedly high value compared with normal physiology).