3. Can a pulse oximeter help us identify carbon monoxide poisoning in a patient? Explain (2.5 points)
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Step 1: A pulse oximeter measures the oxygen saturation in the blood. Show more…
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Scenario/Summary Adam and his family decided to take a trip to the mountains for the weekend in late February. They had a small cabin and looked forward to a weekend away from the big city. The family had a wonderful time together on Saturday morning hiking in the woods and enjoying nature. However, Saturday afternoon a storm rolled in bringing snow and subfreezing temperatures. Since the heater in the cabin wasn't working well, Adam's mother and sister decided to drive into the nearest town to spend the night. Adam and his father, not being sissies, stayed at the cabin where they started a gas heater to keep them warm. The next morning Adam's mother and sister returned to find both Adam and his father unconscious. An ambulance was called and they were both transported to the nearest hospital. Adam had arterial blood gases drawn with the following results: pH 7.2 PaCO2 31.4, PaO2 40.7 mmHg His oxygen saturation was 72%. Adam was diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning. Deliverables Answer the following question thoroughly: With respect to hemoglobin loading, please explain the relationship between binding of oxygen (O2) and carbon monoxide (CO) to the hemoglobin molecules. During the ambulance ride, a pulse oximeter showed 100% O2 saturation. Why is that different from the 72% measured at the hospital? One course of treatment is a hyperbaric oxygen treatment. How does a hyperbaric chamber work? Adams blood work shows him to be in an acidosis (normal blood pH is 7.35-7.45). Explain how this will shift the hemoglobin dissociation curve and why.
Adi S.
Hemoglobin is the molecule in your red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to your body cells. Each hemoglobin molecule can carry 4 oxygen molecules, forming a complex as it travels through the bloodstream (Hb(O2)4). Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when carbon monoxide is inhaled, and binds with hemoglobin (forming Hb(CO)4), preventing oxygen from being able to bind to hemoglobin. When oxygen can't bind to hemoglobin, it can't be delivered to the body cells that need it. The treatment used for victims of carbon monoxide poisoning is inhaling pure oxygen from a mask for an extended period of time. Hb(O2)4(aq) + 4CO(g) ⇌ Hb(CO)4(aq) + 4O2(g) Keq = 218 a. What does the Keq value indicate about why carbon monoxide is so poisonous? (1) b. Explain in terms of Le Chatelier's principle why breathing highly concentrated oxygen would be helpful for CO poisoning victims. (1) c. Does the bloodstream of a patient receiving oxygen treatment represent an equilibrium situation? Why or why not? (2)
Sri K.
The equilibrium between oxyhemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin suggests an approach to treating mild cases of carbon monoxide poisoning. Explain.
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