A patient who suffered carbon monoxide poisoning from sitting in a car with the engine running in a closed garage has just been brought to the emergency room.The patient's laboratory test results indicate that 35% of total hemoglobin is saturated with carbon monoxide.Which of the following sets of symptoms should the nurse expect to see in this patient, based on this finding?
A)Asymptomatic
B)Disturbance of judgment, headache, and dizziness
C)Dizziness, muscle weakness, vision problems, confusion, increased heart rate, and increased breathing rate
D)Loss of consciousness, coma

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A saturation of 35% indicates that the patient has a moderate level of carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms at this level include dizziness, muscle weakness, vision problems, confusion, increased heart rate, and increased breathing rate. Loss of consciousness and coma are not expected at this level. Asymptomatic and disturbance of judgment, headache, and dizziness are not consistent with this level of poisoning.

A Patient Who Suffered Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from Sitting in a Car