COPD with chronic hypoxemia may develop which condition?

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Multiple Choice

COPD with chronic hypoxemia may develop which condition?

Chronic low oxygen from COPD stimulates the kidneys to release more erythropoietin, which increases red blood cell production. This raises the red cell mass and hematocrit, a state called secondary polycythemia. The body does this to improve oxygen delivery to tissues despite ongoing hypoxemia, though it makes the blood more viscous and can raise the risk of thrombosis. Anemia would worsen oxygen delivery, and leukocytosis or thrombocytopenia aren’t typical adaptive responses to chronic hypoxemia in COPD, so they don’t fit this scenario.

Chronic low oxygen from COPD stimulates the kidneys to release more erythropoietin, which increases red blood cell production. This raises the red cell mass and hematocrit, a state called secondary polycythemia. The body does this to improve oxygen delivery to tissues despite ongoing hypoxemia, though it makes the blood more viscous and can raise the risk of thrombosis. Anemia would worsen oxygen delivery, and leukocytosis or thrombocytopenia aren’t typical adaptive responses to chronic hypoxemia in COPD, so they don’t fit this scenario.

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