Pediatric Cardiovascular Disorders Practice Test 2026 - Free Pediatric Cardiovascular Practice Questions and Study Guide

Hypoxemia, a condition characterized by low levels of oxygen in the blood, can lead to several physiological changes in the body, particularly in individuals suffering from congestive heart failure. One of the primary responses to chronic hypoxemia is polycythemia, which is the increase in the number of red blood cells. The body attempts to compensate for the decreased oxygen availability by producing more erythrocytes in order to enhance the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity.

Additionally, hypoxemia may lead to clubbing, which is a condition where the fingers and toes become enlarged and the nail beds convex. This occurs as a response to chronic hypoxia, provoking changes in the vascular structures of the digital tissues and is often associated with long-standing oxygen deprivation.

The other options mention conditions not directly linked to the physiological responses caused by hypoxemia in congestive heart failure. Anemia is indicative of low red blood cell count and would not be a direct result of hypoxemia, as the body would typically respond by increasing red blood cell production rather than decreasing it. Elevated white blood cell counts and low platelets do not correlate with hypoxemia and are more indicative of other conditions or infections. An elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate can