Question

In certain lung ailments such as emphysema, there is a decrease in the ability of oxygen to diffuse into the blood.

a. How would the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood change?

b. Why does a person with severe emphysema sometimes use a portable oxygen tank?

Short answer

a. The partial pressure of oxygen will decrease.

b. The reason for a person with severe emphysema sometimes uses a portable oxygen tank is explained below.

Step-by-step solution

Part (a) step 1: Given Information

We need to find the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood change increase or decrease.

Part (a) step 2: Explanation

Normally. when we breathe, during the gas exchange, oxygen$\left(O_2\right)$moves from the lungs to the bloodstream, increasing the partial pressure of oxygen. The oxygen from the bloodstream, to the increased partial pressure, moves from the bloodstream to all of our tissue, and organs and supplies them. That is necessary for the normal function of our body.

On another side, carbon dioxide $\left(C{o}_2\right)$, which is the final product of the cell metabolism, moves from the bloodstream to the lungs, decreasing the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream.

In emphysema, distal airways are obstructed, i.e their lumen is smaller than usual.

That will reduce the volume of the inhaled air in the lungs, and the partial pressure of oxygen in the lungs.

Then, reduces the movement of oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream, which is followed by a decreased pressure of oxygen in the bloodstream.

Part (b) step 1: Given Information 

We need to explain a person with severe emphysema sometimes use a portable oxygen tank.

Part (b) step 2:Explanation

Normally. when we breathe, during the gas exchange, oxygen$\left(O_2\right)$ moves from the lungs to the bloodstream, increasing the partial pressure of oxygen. The oxygen from the bloodstream, to the increased partial pressure, moves from the bloodstream to all of our tissue, and organs and supplies them. That is necessary for the normal function of our body.

On another side, carbon dioxide $\left(C{O}_2\right)$, which is the final product of the cell metabolism, moves from the bloodstream to the lungs, decreasing the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream.

In emphysema, distal airways are obstructed, i.e their lumen is smaller than usual.

That will reduce the volume of the inhaled air in the lungs, and the partial pressure of oxygen in the lungs.

Then, reduces the movement of oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream, which is followed by a decreased pressure of oxygen in the bloodstream.

When a patient breathes oxygen from a tank, firstly an increase in the partial pressure of oxygen in the lungs will occur, which will then cause the movement of oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream, and that movement will cause an increase in the partial pressure of oxygen in the bloodstream.

Therefore, in conclusion, the patients with severe emphysema, use the portable oxygen tank, to increase the decreased partial pressure of oxygen in the bloodstream, and that will provide normal oxygen supply to the organs and will reduce some of their symptoms.