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What are the main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

  • A

    Hyperventilation and tingling extremities.

  • B

    Euphoria and loss of coordination.

  • C

    Joint pain and itching skin.

  • D

    Headache and nausea.

Refer to figure.
CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is produced by the incomplete combustion of Carbon in fuel. It is a flammable gas that does not have any colour, smell or taste. Carbon monoxide is highly toxic with cumulative effects. It could enter the flight compartment due to a cabin heater leak (bleed leak) causing several symptoms. Modern aircraft systems can detect carbon monoxide in the air.

When breathing in carbon monoxide, it interferes with the red blood cells mixing with hemoglobin 210 to 250 times better than oxygen. This means that oxygen can no longer mix with hemoglobin and there will be a lack of oxygen delivery to the body tissues. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, nausea, dizziness, sore throat, dry cough, loss of muscular power, impaired judgment and loss of consciousness.


Let's analyze the given options:

Hyperventilation and tingling extremities. → INCORRECT. Those symptoms are not related to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Euphoria and loss of coordination. → INCORRECT. Loss of coordination can occur, but euphoria is not a common symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning. Euphoria is related to hypoxia instead.

Joint pain and itching skin. → INCORRECT. Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms are mainly related to oxygen deprivation, not skin or joint issues. Joint pain is related to decompression sickness instead.

Headache and nausea. → CORRECT. Carbon monoxide reduces oxygen delivery to tissues. The muscles and the brain are highly sensitive to low oxygen and dizziness causing headache and nausea may occur.

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