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Carbon monoxide poisoning — DipIMC MCQ

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EasyMedical EmergenciesCarbon monoxide poisoningDipIMC

A family is found drowsy in a house with a faulty boiler. They have headache and nausea but pulse oximetry reads 99% on air. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: D — Remove from exposure and give high-concentration oxygen

Option D is correct because Pulse oximetry can be falsely reassuring in carbon monoxide poisoning, and oxygen plus scene evacuation are immediate priorities. Option B is less appropriate because oxygen may be supportive, but it does not address the defining time-critical problem first; option A is less appropriate because vascular access is useful, but it should not delay the immediate priority. Option C is less appropriate because it is plausible in a different scenario but suboptimal for the features described; option E is less appropriate because delay would increase clinical risk. Clinical pearl: in DipIMC-style questions, the best answer is the intervention that changes outcome earliest in the pre-hospital phase.

Reference: JRCALC Guidelines; Resuscitation Council UK First Aid Guidelines