Which condition indicates a failure to absorb oxygen effectively?

The condition that indicates a failure to absorb oxygen effectively is hypoxia. Hypoxia refers to a state in which there is a deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues, which can occur even if there's adequate ventilation or breathing. This can be due to various factors, including inadequate oxygen supply, impaired ability to transport oxygen in the blood, or problems at the cellular level that prevent effective oxygen utilization.

Asphyxia, while related, specifically refers to a condition where there is a lack of oxygen and an excess of carbon dioxide, usually due to suffocation or choking. Although it involves oxygen deficiency, it implies a more immediate and acute scenario leading to critical failure in respiration.

Hypercapnia is characterized by excess carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, which can occur due to various respiratory ailments but does not directly indicate failure to absorb oxygen, as it focuses primarily on carbon dioxide retention.

Apnea indicates a temporary cessation of breathing, which can lead to hypoxia if prolonged, but it does not itself indicate chronic or systemic failure to absorb oxygen effectively. It is more about the interruption of the breathing process rather than the oxygen absorption mechanism.