What result indicates the adequacy of oxygen transport in a patient treated for carbon monoxide poisoning?

• A. Cardiac output
• B. Oxygen consumption at the tissues
• C. Arterial-venous oxygen content difference
• D. Arterial oxygen content

Answer: (D)

The adequacy of oxygen transport in a patient treated for carbon monoxide poisoning is effectively indicated by arterial oxygen content. In cases of carbon monoxide exposure, the presence of carbon monoxide in the bloodstream binds to hemoglobin more readily than oxygen, reducing the amount of oxygen that can be transported by red blood cells. Thus, assessing arterial oxygen content, which takes into account the saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen, is crucial.

Monitoring arterial oxygen content provides direct insight into how much oxygen is available for tissues. Patients recovering from carbon monoxide poisoning may still demonstrate normal oxygen consumption or cardiac output; however, if the arterial oxygen content is low, it indicates that the body is not receiving sufficient oxygen, regardless of how well other parameters appear to be functioning. Therefore, arterial oxygen content provides a clear, relevant measure of the effectiveness of treatment and the body's ability to transport oxygen to tissues after carbon monoxide exposure.