You respond to an ill patient experiencing flu-like symptoms. Upon your arrival, the patient states that she woke up not feeling well. The patient states that she has been heating her home with wood due to the electric bill being too high. You should suspect:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms may indicate carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be caused by improper ventilation or incomplete combustion of fuels such as wood. Carbon dioxide poisoning is less likely to cause flu-like symptoms and hypercarbia refers to high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, which may be caused by respiratory issues rather than environmental exposure. Hypothermia may be a concern if the patient's home is poorly insulated and she is generating insufficient heat, but this is less likely based on the information provided.

You Respond to an Ill Patient Experiencing Flu-Like Symptoms