What is a common effect of hypoxemia on red blood cell production?

Hypoxemia, which refers to low levels of oxygen in the blood, stimulates the kidneys to produce erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone that promotes the production of red blood cells (RBCs) in the bone marrow. This increase in erythropoiesis is the body's adaptive response to enhance oxygen transport capacity and compensate for low oxygen levels in the bloodstream.

The body recognizes that with insufficient oxygen delivery to tissues, it needs more RBCs to carry oxygen, leading to an increase in erythropoietin secretion. As a result, the production of new red blood cells increases, which is why the correct answer identifies increased erythropoiesis as a common effect of hypoxemia. This physiological response is critical in various conditions, including chronic lung disease and living at high altitudes, where oxygen levels are naturally lower.

The other options do not relate to the direct physiological effects of hypoxemia on red blood cell production. Increased white blood cell count and decreased platelet count pertain to different aspects of hematologic responses and do not reflect the body's response to oxygen deficiency. Decreased hemoglobin levels are indicative of anemia, which could be a separate condition rather than a direct result of hypoxemia as it