Arizona State University (ASU) BIO202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II Exam 2 Practice Exam

Hypoxia in the lungs indicates a deficiency in oxygen levels reaching the bloodstream. When the body is exposed to hypoxic conditions, it responds by increasing the production of red blood cells in an attempt to enhance oxygen transport to tissues. This physiological response is known as polycythemia, which leads to an elevated concentration of red blood cells in the blood.

Polycythemia can occur as a compensation mechanism to improve the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. In chronic hypoxic environments, such as living at high altitudes or certain lung diseases, the body stimulates erythropoiesis (the production of red blood cells) due to increased levels of erythropoietin, a hormone produced by the kidneys in response to low oxygen levels.

Thus, in cases of sustained lung hypoxia, the correct condition that can result is indeed polycythemia, as the body strives to compensate for reduced oxygen availability by producing more red blood cells.