A family presents after using a generator indoors during an outage. The mother is confused with headache and vomiting. Pulse oximetry reads 99%

Question

A family presents after using a generator indoors during an outage. The mother is confused with headache and vomiting. Pulse oximetry reads 99% despite exposure history, and lactate is 3.8 mmol/L. What is the most appropriate investigation?

Accepted Answer

Venous or arterial blood gas with co-oximetry for carboxyhaemoglobin

Answer

Standard pulse oximetry repeated after walking

Answer

Chest X-ray as the definitive rule-out test

Answer

Serum acetaminophen concentration

Answer

Urine drug screen as the primary investigation

Carbon monoxide poisoning — RCPSC EM MCQ

A family presents after using a generator indoors during an outage. The mother is confused with headache and vomiting. Pulse oximetry reads 99% despite exposure history, and lactate is 3.8 mmol/L. What is the most appropriate investigation?