Question

A 57-year-old female is found unconscious in her home by emergency services. The woman’s neighbor called the police as she had not seen her neighbor all day and they typically met for coffee around 10 am. The emergency services confirmed the presence of a carbon monoxide leak in the house from a generator left running in her living room. Based on this information, which of the following results is most reflective of this individual’s metabolic state at time of presentation? (Please discuss the rationale for this answer; arrows indicate increase or decrease when compared to an individual with a functional ETC)

Answer 1

Answer:

The oxygen level of the female decreased below the minimum level due to excess carbon monoxide level in red blood cells and there is consequent alarming decrease in metabolic state.

Explanation:

The woman is clinically suffering from a emergency condition called carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide being an odorless gas is very hard to detect. It combines with hemoglobin of the blood thereby replacing oxygen and renders the hemoglobin incapable of carrying oxygen to the tissues. As a result severe symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, blurring of vision with loss of consciousness. The metabolic rate becomes alarmingly low and this situation demands immediate hospitalization.