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Multiple Choice

Dissolved oxygen content when PaO2 equals 100 mmHg is approximately what value?

Dissolved oxygen in blood is governed by Henry’s law: the amount of O2 dissolved is proportional to the partial pressure of O2, using a solubility of about 0.003 mL O2 per 100 mL blood per mmHg. With a PaO2 of 100 mmHg, the dissolved portion is 0.003 × 100 ≈ 0.3 mL O2 per dL. Most oxygen is carried bound to hemoglobin (about 19–20 mL/dL when Hb is fully saturated), so the dissolved component remains small. The value around 0.3 mL/dL reflects this, not the much larger bound portion.

Dissolved oxygen in blood is governed by Henry’s law: the amount of O2 dissolved is proportional to the partial pressure of O2, using a solubility of about 0.003 mL O2 per 100 mL blood per mmHg. With a PaO2 of 100 mmHg, the dissolved portion is 0.003 × 100 ≈ 0.3 mL O2 per dL. Most oxygen is carried bound to hemoglobin (about 19–20 mL/dL when Hb is fully saturated), so the dissolved component remains small. The value around 0.3 mL/dL reflects this, not the much larger bound portion.