Which of the following is NOT a cause of hypoxia?

The correct answer is based on the understanding that hypoxia refers to a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues of the body. Each of the first three options presents a situation that can lead to reduced oxygen availability or uptake.

A patient in shock experiences inadequate blood flow to tissues, which means that even if oxygen is present in the blood, it is not being delivered effectively to the cells. This can result in significant hypoxia as tissues do not receive the oxygen they need to function properly.

A drug overdose that depresses the respiratory system can lead to hypoxia because it impairs the patient’s ability to breathe adequately. The respiratory depression reduces the volume of air exchanged, thus lowering the amount of oxygen available for uptake into the bloodstream.

A patient trapped in a fire is at risk for hypoxia primarily due to smoke inhalation, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, effectively displacing oxygen in the bloodstream and hindering oxygen transport to tissues.

In contrast, being on a balanced diet does not directly cause hypoxia. While nutrition is essential for overall health and can affect various bodily functions, a balanced diet itself does not interfere with oxygen delivery or utilization in a manner that would lead to hypoxia. Thus, this choice stands out as not being