Bohr effect — FRCA Primary MCQ

Correct answer: C — Acidosis shifts the oxyhaemoglobin curve right

Acidosis shifts the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve to the right. Renin rises with reduced afferent arteriolar pressure is less appropriate because it would fit a different clinical clue or a separate anaesthetic problem. Perfusion of non-ventilated alveoli creates shunt is less appropriate because it would fit a different clinical clue or a separate anaesthetic problem. Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction diverts blood flow is less appropriate because it would fit a different clinical clue or a separate anaesthetic problem. Closing capacity exceeding FRC causes airway closure is less appropriate because it would fit a different clinical clue or a separate anaesthetic problem. In Primary FRCA physiology, the correct answer is usually the variable that best explains the observed change in the anaesthetised patient.

Reference: West's Respiratory Physiology; Ganong Review of Medical Physiology; Primary FRCA textbooks