Ischemia is defined as which of the following?

Ischemia is defined as which of the following?

• A. Increased blood flow to tissue
• B. Inflammation
• C. Lack of blood flow
• D. Necrosis

Answer: (C)

Ischemia means that blood flow to a tissue is insufficient. When perfusion is reduced, oxygen and nutrients don’t reach cells in adequate amounts, and wastes aren’t cleared efficiently, which impairs cellular function. This lack of adequate blood supply can be caused by blocked or narrowed vessels, clots, or external compression. If perfusion is restored in time, the tissue can recover; if it remains reduced for too long, cells may be damaged irreversibly and die, leading to infarction and necrosis. Increasing blood flow would improve oxygen delivery, not cause ischemia. Inflammation is a general tissue response to injury and can occur with ischemia, but it isn’t the definition of ischemia. Necrosis is the death of cells, which can result from prolonged ischemia, but it is not the definition of ischemia itself.

Ischemia means that blood flow to a tissue is insufficient. When perfusion is reduced, oxygen and nutrients don’t reach cells in adequate amounts, and wastes aren’t cleared efficiently, which impairs cellular function. This lack of adequate blood supply can be caused by blocked or narrowed vessels, clots, or external compression. If perfusion is restored in time, the tissue can recover; if it remains reduced for too long, cells may be damaged irreversibly and die, leading to infarction and necrosis.

Increasing blood flow would improve oxygen delivery, not cause ischemia. Inflammation is a general tissue response to injury and can occur with ischemia, but it isn’t the definition of ischemia. Necrosis is the death of cells, which can result from prolonged ischemia, but it is not the definition of ischemia itself.