A Patient, Age 26, Is Admitted to the Burn Unit

A patient, age 26, is admitted to the burn unit with partial- and full-thickness burns to 20% of his body surface area as well as smoke-inhalation injury. Carbon monoxide intoxication secondary to smoke inhalation is often fatal because carbon monoxide

A) binds with hemoglobin in place of oxygen.
B) interferes with oxygen intake.
C) is a respiratory depressant.
D) is a toxic agent.