What happens to the body when carbon monoxide is introduced?

What happens to the body when carbon monoxide is introduced?

• A. It Increases Oxygen Delivery to Tissues
• B. It Restricts Oxygen Delivery and, in Severe Poisoning, Can Cause Dangerous Reductions in Blood Flow and Pressure
• C. It Causes Dehydration
• D. It Cools the Blood

Answer: (B)

Carbon monoxide blocks the body’s ability to deliver oxygen to tissues. It binds to hemoglobin with a much higher affinity than oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin. This not only reduces the amount of oxygen that can be carried in the blood, but it also shifts hemoglobin’s oxygen release curve so that oxygen is released less readily to tissues. The result is tissue hypoxia even if the lungs are taking in oxygen normally. In more severe poisoning, the lack of oxygen at the cellular level can lead to reduced cardiac function and systemic blood pressure, as the heart and vessels struggle to cope with the hypoxic stress. That combination can cause dangerous drops in blood flow and pressure. The other statements don’t fit the main effect: carbon monoxide does not increase oxygen delivery; dehydration is not a direct consequence of CO exposure; and cooling of the blood is not a feature of CO poisoning.

Carbon monoxide blocks the body’s ability to deliver oxygen to tissues. It binds to hemoglobin with a much higher affinity than oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin. This not only reduces the amount of oxygen that can be carried in the blood, but it also shifts hemoglobin’s oxygen release curve so that oxygen is released less readily to tissues. The result is tissue hypoxia even if the lungs are taking in oxygen normally.

In more severe poisoning, the lack of oxygen at the cellular level can lead to reduced cardiac function and systemic blood pressure, as the heart and vessels struggle to cope with the hypoxic stress. That combination can cause dangerous drops in blood flow and pressure.

The other statements don’t fit the main effect: carbon monoxide does not increase oxygen delivery; dehydration is not a direct consequence of CO exposure; and cooling of the blood is not a feature of CO poisoning.