V/Q mismatch is one of the most important physiologic mechanisms of hypoxemia and respiratory failure. In this episode, we review the physiology of ventilation-perfusion matching, high V/Q states, low V/Q states, shunt physiology, dead space ventilation, oxygen response, and the clinical relevance of V/Q mismatch. Topics covered include: • What V/Q mismatch means • Ventilation and perfusion basics • Normal V/Q relationships in the lung • Low V/Q physiology • High V/Q physiology • Shunt physiology • Dead space ventilation • How V/Q mismatch causes hypoxemia • Response to supplemental oxygen • Common clinical causes of V/Q mismatch • Pneumonia, pulmonary edema, COPD, asthma, and pulmonary embolism • Practical interpretation of oxygenation problems • Clinical relevance in respiratory failure and critical care Watch the full video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHEzgqx33HI 📚 Join the WhiteBoard Medicine Patreon Community https://www.patreon.com/WhiteBoardMedicine Join a growing emergency medicine, critical care, and resuscitation education community built around high-yield clinical learning. Patreon members get access to: • Comprehensive Study Guides • Bedside One-Pagers • Clinical Reviews • Mini-Courses • Practice Questions • Ad-Free Videos • Structured Topic Collections 🌐 WhiteBoard Medicine Website Explore our growing library of critical care and emergency medicine content: https://www.whiteboardmedicine.com ⚠️ Educational Disclaimer: This content is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for clinical judgment, institutional protocols, specialist consultation, or individualized patient care. Full disclaimer: https://whiteboardmedicine.com/disclaimer

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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