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Respiratory Quotient — FRCA Primary MCQ

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EasyPhysiology - RespiratoryRespiratory QuotientFRCA Primary

The normal respiratory quotient (RQ) for a mixed diet is approximately:

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Correct answer: C — 0.8

RQ = CO2 produced / O2 consumed. For carbohydrate RQ = 1.0 / for fat RQ = 0.7 / for protein RQ = 0.8. A mixed diet gives RQ approximately 0.8. RQ >1.0 indicates lipogenesis (overfeeding / carbohydrate excess). RQ is used in the alveolar gas equation and in nutritional assessment.

Reference: Power Kam 2018 Principles of Physiology for the Anaesthetist