Pathophysiology: CO binds to hemoglobin in the blood and prevent it from carrying O2 to tissues throughout the body, resulting in hypoxia.
Treatment: remove patient from toxic environment, nonrebreather, BVM, CPAP
Assessment findings: headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dyspnea, chest pain, impaired judgement, confusion, hallucinations
Other info: can lead to permanent brain damage, sources can be heater, car engine exhaust, CO is odorless, colorless, and tasteless