Which term describes a decrease in the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood?

The term that describes a decrease in the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is anemia. Anemia occurs when there aren’t enough red blood cells or when the cells do not have enough hemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen. This reduction in oxygen delivery to the body’s tissues can cause various symptoms, including fatigue, weakness, and pallor.

In contrast, hematuria refers to the presence of blood in urine, which is unrelated to oxygen transport in the bloodstream. Arthritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the joints and does not pertain to blood oxygen levels. Dysuria describes painful or difficult urination, which is also not related to the blood's capacity for oxygen transport. Thus, anemia is the accurate term for a decrease in the blood's oxygen-carrying ability.