How does the administration of a hypoxic challenge assist in the assessment and diagnosis of hypoxia, and what specific clinical scenarios warrant the use of this diagnostic approach?
Hypoxia is a state of oxygen deficiency in the body that is sufficient to cause an impairment of function. Hypoxia is caused by the reduction in partial pressure of oxygen, inadequate oxygen transport, or the inability of the tissues to use oxygen. Hypoxic hypoxia is a reduction of oxygen passing into the blood that may be caused by a reduction in oxygen pressure in the lungs, by a reduced gas exchange area, exposure to high altitude, or by lung disease. During the hypoxic challenge, patients breathe in a reduced concentration of oxygen. Note that hypoxia is assessed through oxygen saturation measurements to identify those patients requiring supplemental oxygen.
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