You are dispatched to a house fire where it is reported that the fire service has rescued a 22-year-old female from the house. On your arrival the fire services report that when they rescued the patient from the house she was unconscious, but her level of consciousness has improved and she now has a GCS of 11. Her face, including her tongue, is covered in soot, but there doesn't appear to be any thermal burns and at this stage there is no other evidence of airway involvement. The patient is at high risk for toxicity from which two toxins?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's exposure to smoke and soot, especially with soot visible on her face and tongue, indicates inhalation of combustion products, making carbon monoxide and cyanide the most concerning toxins. Carbon monoxide is a common product of incomplete combustion, binding to hemoglobin more effectively than oxygen and thus impairing oxygen delivery. Cyanide, another potential byproduct of combustion, inhibits cellular respiration, particularly affecting organs with high oxygen demands. Both toxins are well-documented risks in smoke inhalation cases.

You Are Dispatched to a House Fire Where It Is