DO2 expression: Which expression correctly calculates DO2 in mL/min given CO in L/min and CaO2 in mL/dL?

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Multiple Choice

DO2 expression: Which expression correctly calculates DO2 in mL/min given CO in L/min and CaO2 in mL/dL?

Explanation:
DO2 reflects how much oxygen is delivered to the tissues each minute, so it’s the product of how much blood is circulated (cardiac output) and how much oxygen each deciliter of blood carries (CaO2). Since CO is in liters per minute and CaO2 is in milliliters per deciliter, convert CaO2 to per liter by multiplying by 10 (there are 10 deciliters in a liter). This gives DO2 in milliliters per minute: CO × CaO2 × 10. For example, with CO = 5 L/min and CaO2 = 18 mL/dL, DO2 = 5 × 18 × 10 = 900 mL/min. Omitting the ×10 or dividing by 10 would give an incorrect amount.

DO2 reflects how much oxygen is delivered to the tissues each minute, so it’s the product of how much blood is circulated (cardiac output) and how much oxygen each deciliter of blood carries (CaO2). Since CO is in liters per minute and CaO2 is in milliliters per deciliter, convert CaO2 to per liter by multiplying by 10 (there are 10 deciliters in a liter). This gives DO2 in milliliters per minute: CO × CaO2 × 10. For example, with CO = 5 L/min and CaO2 = 18 mL/dL, DO2 = 5 × 18 × 10 = 900 mL/min. Omitting the ×10 or dividing by 10 would give an incorrect amount.

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