What term describes insufficient oxygen available to tissues for metabolism?

• A. Hypoxemia
• B. Hypercapnia
• C. Hypoxia
• D. Asphyxia

Answer: (C)

The term that describes insufficient oxygen available to tissues for metabolism is hypoxia. Hypoxia specifically refers to a state where there is a deficiency of oxygen in the tissues, which can result from various factors, such as poor blood flow, low oxygen levels in the blood, or inadequate oxygen uptake by the cells. This lack of oxygen impairs the ability of tissues to produce energy efficiently, leading to cellular dysfunction and potentially causing damage if prolonged.

In contrast, hypoxemia refers to low levels of oxygen in the blood itself, which can lead to hypoxia but is not synonymous with it. Hypercapnia is characterized by elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood and does not directly address oxygen deficiency. Asphyxia encompasses various conditions that result in a lack of oxygen and often includes a combination of factors, such as choking or suffocation, but it is not specific to the cellular level like hypoxia is. Therefore, hypoxia is the most accurate term for insufficient oxygen available to tissues for metabolism.