Background: The Fink effect, also known as "diffusion anoxia",[1] "diffusion hypoxia",[2] or the "third gas effect",[3] is a factor that influences the pO2 (partial pressure of oxygen) within the alveolus. When water-insoluble gases such as anesthetic agent N2O (nitrous oxide) are breathed in large quantities they can be dissolved in body fluids rapidly. This leads to a temporary increase in both the concentrations and partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the alveolus.

Situation: An accident occurred in a local chemical factory. Consequently, large amount of various gases been released to the atmosphere. Local hospital is evaluating all the patients who have been affected by this accident. John, a doctor at the hospital, is seeing two patients, patient A and patient B. He concluded that patient A was having Fink effect. But he didn't see any sign of Fink effect in patient B.

Question: Which patient would have increased partial pressure of oxygen in the alveolus?
Answer: patient A

Situation: An accident occurred in a local chemical factory. Consequently, large amount of various gases been released to the atmosphere. Local hospital is evaluating all the patients who have been affected by this accident. John, a doctor at the hospital, is seeing two patients, patient A and patient B. He concluded that patient A was having Fink effect. But he didn't see any sign of Fink effect in patient B.

Question: Which patient would have normal partial pressure of oxygen in the alveolus?
Answer: patient B

Situation: An accident occurred in a local chemical factory. Consequently, large amount of various gases been released to the atmosphere. Local hospital is evaluating all the patients who have been affected by this accident. John, a doctor at the hospital, is seeing two patients, patient A and patient B. He concluded that patient A was having Fink effect. But he didn't see any sign of Fink effect in patient B.

Question: Would patient A have increased or normal partial pressure of oxygen in the alveolus?
Answer: increased

Situation: An accident occurred in a local chemical factory. Consequently, large amount of various gases been released to the atmosphere. Local hospital is evaluating all the patients who have been affected by this accident. John, a doctor at the hospital, is seeing two patients, patient A and patient B. He concluded that patient A was having Fink effect. But he didn't see any sign of Fink effect in patient B.

Question: Would patient B have increased or normal partial pressure of oxygen in the alveolus?
Answer: normal

Situation: An accident occurred in a local chemical factory. Consequently, large amount of various gases been released to the atmosphere. Local hospital is evaluating all the patients who have been affected by this accident. John, a doctor at the hospital, is seeing two patients, patient A and patient B. He concluded that patient A was having Fink effect. But he didn't see any sign of Fink effect in patient B.

Question: Which patient would have breathed large quantities of water-insoluble gases, patien A or patient B?
Answer: patient A

Situation: An accident occurred in a local chemical factory. Consequently, large amount of various gases been released to the atmosphere. Local hospital is evaluating all the patients who have been affected by this accident. John, a doctor at the hospital, is seeing two patients, patient A and patient B. He concluded that patient A was having Fink effect. But he didn't see any sign of Fink effect in patient B.

Question: Which patient would have breathed normal quantities of water-insoluble gases, patien A or patient B?
Answer: patient B

Situation: An accident occurred in a local chemical factory. Consequently, large amount of various gases been released to the atmosphere. Local hospital is evaluating all the patients who have been affected by this accident. John, a doctor at the hospital, is seeing two patients, patient A and patient B. He concluded that patient A was having Fink effect. But he didn't see any sign of Fink effect in patient B.

Question: Would patient A have breathed large quantities or normal quantities of water-soluble gases?
Answer: large quantities

Situation: An accident occurred in a local chemical factory. Consequently, large amount of various gases been released to the atmosphere. Local hospital is evaluating all the patients who have been affected by this accident. John, a doctor at the hospital, is seeing two patients, patient A and patient B. He concluded that patient A was having Fink effect. But he didn't see any sign of Fink effect in patient B.

Question: Would patient B have breathed large quantities or normal quantities of water-soluble gases?
Answer: normal quantities

Situation: An accident occurred in a local chemical factory. Consequently, large amount of various gases been released to the atmosphere. Local hospital is evaluating all the patients who have been affected by this accident. John, a doctor at the hospital, is seeing two patients, patient A and patient B. He concluded that patient A was having Fink effect. But he didn't see any sign of Fink effect in patient B.

Question: Which patient's alveolus would have high concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide, patient A or patient B?
Answer: patient A

Situation: An accident occurred in a local chemical factory. Consequently, large amount of various gases been released to the atmosphere. Local hospital is evaluating all the patients who have been affected by this accident. John, a doctor at the hospital, is seeing two patients, patient A and patient B. He concluded that patient A was having Fink effect. But he didn't see any sign of Fink effect in patient B.

Question: Which patient's alveolus would have normal concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide, patient A or patient B?
Answer: patient B