Why Does a Patient with CO Poisoning Have Cherry Red

question 14

Multiple Choice

Why does a patient with CO poisoning have cherry red skin coloring instead of cyanosis?

• A) CO poisons the hemoglobin and chemical alters the erythrocyte making it incapable of carrying oxygen. The red color is due to compensatory polycythemia which occurs immediately.
• B) CO causes the hemoglobin molecule to break apart. The red coloration is from the hemoglobin fragments under the skin
• C) Patients with CO poisoning hyperventilate so the red coloration is due to the increased WOB
• D) CO rapidly fills sites on the hemoglobin where oxygen normally attaches. The high level of carboxyhemoglobin and saturated hemoglobin results in the red coloration

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