In carbon monoxide poisoning, initial management includes?

In carbon monoxide poisoning, initial management includes?

• A. Supplemental oxygen
• B. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• C. Warming
• D. Activated charcoal

Answer: (A)

The main idea is to rapidly reverse the oxygen deficit caused by carbon monoxide by delivering pure oxygen. Carbon monoxide binds strongly to hemoglobin, forming carboxyhemoglobin and hindering oxygen delivery to tissues. Giving 100% oxygen quickly increases the blood’s oxygen content and displaces CO from hemoglobin, speeding its elimination from the body. This intervention dramatically shortens the carboxyhemoglobin half-life—from hours on room air to about an hour with 100% oxygen, and even faster if hyperbaric therapy is used. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be considered in severe cases, especially with neurologic symptoms, loss of consciousness, or in pregnancy, to reduce the risk of delayed neurologic sequelae, but it’s not the universal initial step. Activated charcoal won’t help here because CO is a gas absorbed through inhalation, not a substance that charcoal can adsorb in the gut. Warming isn’t a specific treatment for CO poisoning; it’s not the primary management unless hypothermia is present.

The main idea is to rapidly reverse the oxygen deficit caused by carbon monoxide by delivering pure oxygen. Carbon monoxide binds strongly to hemoglobin, forming carboxyhemoglobin and hindering oxygen delivery to tissues. Giving 100% oxygen quickly increases the blood’s oxygen content and displaces CO from hemoglobin, speeding its elimination from the body. This intervention dramatically shortens the carboxyhemoglobin half-life—from hours on room air to about an hour with 100% oxygen, and even faster if hyperbaric therapy is used. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be considered in severe cases, especially with neurologic symptoms, loss of consciousness, or in pregnancy, to reduce the risk of delayed neurologic sequelae, but it’s not the universal initial step. Activated charcoal won’t help here because CO is a gas absorbed through inhalation, not a substance that charcoal can adsorb in the gut. Warming isn’t a specific treatment for CO poisoning; it’s not the primary management unless hypothermia is present.