Bronchidilators

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"The bronchodilator effects of these medications can sometimes cause a worsening of arterial hypoxemia by redistributing the inspired gas to areas of decreased perfusion. Administering the bronchodilator with an mixture oxygen- enriched gas usually alleviates this effect."

I don't understand what is meant by "redistributing the inspired gas to areas of decreased perfusion"

How does this causes worsening of hypoxemia? Shouldn't it be the opposite?

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Specializes in LTC, MDS, ER.

"Redistributing the inspired gas to areas of decreased perfusion"

I took the liberty of rewording this so it says:

"After using this medication, the bronchioles are widened (dilated). As a result, gas (oxygen) that has been breathed in is spread to areas in the lungs that do not have a good blood supply. Poor blood supply=oxygen won't be able to cross into the blood stream from the lungs=worsening oxygen content in the blood (hypoxemia)"

Hope this helps, but I'm definitely not a respiratory therapist!!

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