Author Question: Does the right-sided O2 saturation increase or decrease when there is an atrial septal defect? ... (Read 27 times)

mmm · **on:** Jun 27, 2018

Does the right-sided O2 saturation increase or decrease when there is an atrial septal defect?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Explain why reduced blood flow to the alveoli reduces the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide.

What will be an ideal response?

djpooyouma · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 27, 2018

Answer to Question 1

If the shunted blood moves through the defect from the left side of the heart (oxygenated blood) to the right side of the heart (deoxygenated blood), the oxygen saturation on the right side will increase.

Answer to Question 2

Carbon monoxide (CO) is delivered to the alveoli by the blood. With less blood passing through the alveoli, less carbon monoxide comes into contact with the alveolar membrane and therefore less CO can diffuse across the membrane.