A 29-year-old man presents to the clinic because he is concerned about blue fingers. He reports no other symptoms and is otherwise healthy. On physical examination, his vital signs are normal except for an oxygen saturation of 87% on room air. His lung and cardiac exams are normal but there is bluish discoloration of his fingers consistent with cyanosis. A blood gas reveals hypoxemia and hypercapnia, while the CBC suggests polycythemia. With voluntary hyperventilation he is able to restore his blood gases to normal. Which of the following is the most likely location for the abnormalities seen on his blood gases?
The primary pathology is likely to be located in the respiratory center. Cyanosis, especially when asleep, is caused by a combination of polycythemia and hypoxia. The symptoms of alveolar hypoventilation are caused by both hypercarbia and hypoxemia.
cerebral cortex
kidney
heart
respiratory center
Respiratory