A Secondary Polycythemia is Most Often Due To

Question

A secondary polycythemia is most often due to
A) hyperventilation.
B) chronic hypoxemia.
C) hypoglycemia.
D) glucosuria.

Accepted Answer

Secondary polycythemia is characterized by an increase in the number of red blood cells due to a secondary cause, such as chronic hypoxemia (low oxygen levels in the blood). This condition is a compensatory mechanism in response to the decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Hyperventilation (A) can cause respiratory alkalosis, but it does not directly lead to polycythemia. Hypoglycemia (C) is a condition of low blood sugar and is not associated with polycythemia. Glucosuria (D) is the presence of glucose in the urine and is not related to polycythemia.