Pulmonary changes in lateral position in the anaesthetized patient?: (A) Dependent lung is relatively over ventilated and over-perfused, (B) Dependent lung is relatively over ventilated and under-perfused, (C) Dependent lung is relatively under ventilated and over-perfused, (D) Dependent lung is relatively under ventilated and under-perfused
Answer is C. In the anaesthetized patient : Dependent lung is relatively under-ventilated and over-perfused Non-dependent lung is over-ventilated and under-perfused. This leads to a generally well tolerated increase in ventilation-perfusion inequality but can cause hypoxaemia in compromised patients.