Carbon Monoxide Exposure

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Carbon monoxide exposure happens when you breathe in air that contains carbon monoxide (CO) gas. You cannot see, taste or smell CO and you may not know you are breathing it in. Too much CO exposure can cause CO poisoning. Most CO poisoning happens by accident, but for some it happens on purpose such as with a suicide attempt. In your lungs, the oxygen you breathe in is carried by red blood cells (RBCs) to your body. With CO poisoning, the CO takes up the places on your RBCs where the oxygen should be carried. This results in less oxygen being delivered to your tissues and organs, which can injure them. CO poisoning may cause serious damage to your blood vessels, brain, kidneys, and heart.
  
  
• CO is formed when any fuel is burned, such as gasoline, kerosene, propane, coal, wood, or charcoal. Older adults, pregnant women, and people with certain jobs or medical conditions have increased risk for CO poisoning. With CO exposure, you may throw up, have a headache, chest pain, and trouble breathing or thinking clearly. You may need blood tests, a breath analyzer test, or neurological exams to detect CO poisoning. You may be treated with oxygen, intravenous (IV) therapy, and medicine to help your heart and to prevent convulsions (seizures). CO poisoning also causes damage to your blood vessels, making them leak and swell. You may get serious damage to your brain, kidneys, and heart, which can be life-threatening. Receiving treatment within six hours of exposure may help remove CO from your body faster and reduce injuries.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• HBO treatment for CO poisoning may be uncomfortable for those afraid of staying in confined or enclosed spaces. It may cause ear pain, hearing and eyesight problems, coughing, and chest tightness. Sometimes, treatment may also cause seizures and lung problems. Medicine may make you bruise or bleed more easily. Even with treatment, your signs and symptoms may stop and then come back. You may still have brain problems. These include trouble thinking or remembering things, tremors or shaking, and feeling sadder or more worried than normal.
  
  
• Without treatment, your signs and symptoms may worsen. You may develop heart, lung, or brain problems. Your kidneys may stop working, or you may have a heart attack. You may go into a coma and die. Ask your caregiver if you have questions about your condition, treatment, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent:

A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

Endotracheal (ET) tube:

An endotracheal tube may be put into your mouth or nose. It goes down into your windpipe to help keep your airway open and help you breathe. It may be hooked to a ventilator (breathing machine), and you may get extra oxygen through your ET tube. You will not be able to talk while the ET tube is in place.

IV:

An IV (intravenous) is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.

Neurologic exam:

This is also called neuro signs, neuro checks, or neuro status. A neurologic exam can show caregivers how well your brain works after an injury or illness. Caregivers will check how your pupils (black dots in the center of each eye) react to light. They may check your memory and how easily you wake up. Your hand grasp and balance may also be tested.

Vital signs:

Caregivers will check your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature. They will also ask about your pain. These vital signs give caregivers information about your current health.

Medicines:

You may be given the following medicines:

• Anticonvulsant medicine: This medicine is given to control seizures. Take this medicine exactly as directed.
  
  
• Clot busters: This medicine helps break apart blood clots, which may increase blood flow to your heart muscle. It is given in your IV and may be given at the same time as other blood thinners. This medicine may decrease the amount of damage to your heart muscle, and may even save your life. You will bleed and bruise more easily after getting clot busters.

Tests:

• Heart monitor: This test is also called an EKG or ECG. Sticky pads are placed on your skin to record your heart's electrical activity. An EKG gives information about how your heart is working. Lie as still as possible during the test.
  
  
• Blood gases: This is also called an arterial blood gas, or ABG. Blood is taken from an artery (blood vessel) in your wrist, arm, or groin. Your blood is tested for the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in it. The results can tell caregivers how well your lungs are working.
  
  
• Blood tests: You may need blood taken to give caregivers information about how your body is working. The blood may be taken from your hand, arm, or IV.
  
  
• EEG: This test is also called an electroencephalogram. Many small pads or metal discs are put on your head. Each has a wire that is hooked to a machine. This machine prints a paper tracing of brain wave activity from different parts of your brain. Caregivers look at the tracing to see how your brain is working.
  
  
• Imaging tests: These tests may help your caregiver see how your organs are working. You may be given dye in your IV before the pictures are taken. The dye will help your organs show better on the pictures. People who are allergic to shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to some dyes. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to shellfish or have other allergies.
  
  
  • Chest x-ray: This is a picture of your lungs and heart. Caregivers use it to see how your lungs and heart are doing. Caregivers may use the x-ray to look for signs of infection like pneumonia, or to look for collapsed lungs. Chest x-rays may show tumors, broken ribs, or fluid around the heart and lungs.
    
    
  • Computed tomography scan: This is also called a CT scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your brain.
    
    
  • Echocardiogram: This test is a type of ultrasound. Sound waves are used to show the structure, movement, and blood vessels of your heart.
    
    
  • Magnetic resonance imaging: This test is also called an MRI. During the test, pictures are taken of your brain to check for fluid and swelling. You must lie still during an MRI test. Never enter the MRI room with a metal such as an oxygen tank or watch. This could cause serious injury. Tell your caregiver if you have any metal implants in your body.
    
    
  • Positron emission tomography scan: This test is also called a PET scan. This test can show how much blood and oxygen is flowing to your brain. Ask your caregiver for more information about this test.

Treatment options:

• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: This is also called HBO. HBO is used to get more oxygen into your body. The oxygen is given under pressure to help it get into your tissues and blood. You may be put into a tube-like chamber called a hyperbaric or pressure chamber. You will be able to see your caregivers and talk with them through a speaker. You may need to have this therapy more than once.
  
  
• Intravenous therapy: This is a special liquid given to increase your blood pressure and remove harmful chemicals from your body. An intravenous (IV) tube is placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube is capped or connected to tubing and liquid.
  
  
• Oxygen: You may need extra oxygen if your blood oxygen level is lower than it should be. You may get oxygen through a mask placed over your nose and mouth or through small tubes placed in your nostrils. Ask your caregiver before you take off the mask or oxygen tubing.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Carbon Monoxide Exposure (Inpatient Care)