Anatomy And Physiology II (APII) Milestone 1 Practice Test

In response to hypoxia, what happens to peripheral vascular resistance and blood pressure?

Increase resistance; increase BP Decrease resistance; decrease BP No change Increase resistance; decrease BP

Correct Answer:

Decrease resistance; decrease BP

Explanation:

When tissues sense low oxygen, local chemical signals cause small arteries and arterioles to dilate. This vasodilation lowers peripheral vascular resistance because there are fewer constricted vessels for the blood to push through. Blood pressure depends on cardiac output times systemic vascular resistance, so if resistance falls and the heart doesn’t immediately increase its output enough to compensate, mean arterial pressure tends to drop. So the healthy, immediate response to hypoxia is decreased resistance and, often, decreased blood pressure.

Access more questions from this quiz

Continue to Anatomy and Physiology II (APII) Milestone 1 Practice Test for more practice questions and the full quiz experience.

Access More Questions