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Carbon monoxide poisoning — DIPIMC MCQ

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EasyEnvironmental MedicineCarbon monoxide poisoningDIPIMCDipIMC

A family is unwell with headache and nausea, having spent the evening in a closed house with a faulty boiler. One member is drowsy.

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

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Correct answer: B — Remove everyone from the source and give high-flow oxygen.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is treated by removing the patient from the source and giving high-flow oxygen, which shortens the half-life of carboxyhaemoglobin, with hyperbaric therapy considered in severe cases. Pulse oximetry can read falsely normal, so it should not be used to justify restricting oxygen here. Others exposed in the building should also be assessed.

Reference: TOXBASE