V/Q Mismatch Explained for Paramedics | Normal, Dead Space, Shunt & Mismatch

You've known about the ventilation perfusion mismatch all along. #Paramedicbook #paramedicsoffacebook #medicsoffacebook #medicbook #emtsoffacebook #emsbook #Paramedic #paramedics #firstresponders #firstresponderbook #firstrespondersoffacebook #firefighterbook #firefightersoffacebook #paramedicstudent #emtstudent #emergencymedicine #ambulance #CriticalCareParamedic #CriticalCareParamedicsofFacebook #FlightParamedicsofFacebook #FlightParamedicBook #FPC #CCPC | EMS Avenger

V/Q Mismatch — When Breathing Doesn’t Equal Oxygenation You’ve heard it before: Ventilation (V) and Perfusion (Q) have to match. When they don’t? That’s a V/Q mismatch — and that’s where things fall apart. • Shunt = Perfusion without ventilation Lungs are full of fluid? Collapsed? Air can’t get in. Blood flows anyway. (e.g. pneumonia, pulmonary oedema) • Dead Space = Ventilation without perfusion Air’s getting in — but blood isn’t. Blocked vessels, low flow. (e.g. PE, hypovolaemia) The result? H