A 72-year-old man with long-standing smoking history is found unconscious in his garage with a running petrol engine. On arrival, he is confused with ...

Question

A 72-year-old man with long-standing smoking history is found unconscious in his garage with a running petrol engine. On arrival, he is confused with headache and nausea. Pulse oximetry reads 99% on room air. What is the most appropriate investigation to confirm suspected carbon monoxide poisoning?

Accepted Answer

Carboxyhaemoglobin level via co-oximetry

Answer

Standard arterial blood gas with calculated oxygen saturation only

Answer

Chest radiograph

Answer

Serum lactate alone

Answer

CT head

ca-mccqe1 MCQ (SBA): Carbon monoxide poisoning

A 72-year-old man with long-standing smoking history is found unconscious in his garage with a running petrol engine. On arrival, he is confused with headache and nausea. Pulse oximetry reads 99% on room air. What is the most appropriate investigation to confirm suspected carbon monoxide poisoning?