NSG5003 Week 4 Study guide (NSG5003)

1. What is the cause of polycythemia in the fetus? a. Fetal hemoglobin has a greater affinity for oxygen as a result of diphosphoglycerate (DPG). b. The fetus has a different hemoglobin structure of two - and two -chains rather than two -and two -chains. c. Increased erythropoiesis occurs in response to the hypoxic intrauterine environment. d. The lungs of the fetus are undeveloped and unable to diffuse oxygen adequately to the pulmonary capillaries. 2. Why does fetal hemogl...