Sections View Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Annotate Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Supplementary Content +++ Key Features ++ Degree of toxicity correlates well with the carboxyhemoglobin level taken soon after acute exposure but not after oxygen has been given or when there has been some time since exposure Outcome of severe poisoning may be complete recovery, vegetative state, or any degree of mental injury between these extremes Primary mental deficits are neuropsychiatric +++ Clinical Findings ++ Onset of symptoms may be more rapid and more severe if the patient lives at a high altitude, has a high respiratory rate (ie, infants), is pregnant, or has myocardial insufficiency or lung disease Presents with such nonspecific symptoms as headache or flu-like illness Confusion, unsteadiness, and coma may occur +++ Diagnosis ++ Proteinuria, glycosuria, elevated serum aminotransferase levels, or ECG changes may be present in the acute phase Permanent cardiac, liver, renal, or CNS damage occurs occasionally +++ Treatment ++ 100% oxygen should be administered immediately Hyperbaric oxygen therapy at 2.0–2.5 atm of oxygen shortens the half-life to 30 minutes Use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for delayed neurologic sequelae can be considered, but remains controversial After the level has been reduced to near zero, therapy is aimed at the nonspecific sequelae of anoxia Evaluation of the source should be performed before the patient returns to the home Your Access profile is currently affiliated with '[InstitutionA]' and is in the process of switching affiliations to '[InstitutionB]'. Please click ‘Continue’ to continue the affiliation switch, otherwise click ‘Cancel’ to cancel signing in. Get Free Access Through Your Institution Learn how to see if your library subscribes to McGraw Hill Medical products. Subscribe: Institutional or Individual Sign In Username Error: Please enter User Name Password Error: Please enter Password Forgot Username? Forgot Password? Sign in via OpenAthens Sign in via Shibboleth