NREMT Paramedic Trauma Exam Prep

Answer: B- In pulmonary contusion, the trauma to alveoli causes bleeding into the oxygenating space of the lungs, causing pulmonary edema.

In general, V:Q mismatch describes a higher than normal ratio between a patient’s rate of ventilations and the amount of oxygen being delivered to the alveoli. The lack of oxygen results in ineffective perfusion of blood in the lungs.