What increases the production of red blood cells?

What increases the production of red blood cells?

• A. Hypoxia
• B. Hyperglycemia
• C. Dehydration
• D. Hypercarbia

Answer: (A)

When oxygen delivery to tissues drops (hypoxia), the kidneys sense this and release more erythropoietin, a hormone that travels to the bone marrow to stimulate the production of red blood cells. This ramped-up erythropoiesis increases the circulating red cell mass and helps improve oxygen transport to tissues. Hyperglycemia doesn’t drive red cell production, and dehydration can raise measured hematocrit temporarily by reducing plasma volume rather than increasing production. Hypercarbia doesn’t directly stimulate erythropoiesis either.

When oxygen delivery to tissues drops (hypoxia), the kidneys sense this and release more erythropoietin, a hormone that travels to the bone marrow to stimulate the production of red blood cells. This ramped-up erythropoiesis increases the circulating red cell mass and helps improve oxygen transport to tissues.

Hyperglycemia doesn’t drive red cell production, and dehydration can raise measured hematocrit temporarily by reducing plasma volume rather than increasing production. Hypercarbia doesn’t directly stimulate erythropoiesis either.