Question

Blood analysis of a patient reveals an unusually high quantity of carboxyhaemoglobin content. Which of the following conclusions is most likely to be correct?

• A. The patient has been inhaling polluted air containing usually high content of Carbon disulphide.
• B. The patient has been inhaling polluted air containing usually high content of Chloroform.
• C. The patient has been inhaling polluted air containing usually high content of Carbon dioxide.
• D. The patient has been inhaling polluted air containing usually high content of Carbon monoxide.

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Carbon monoxide forms a stable compound with haemoglobin called carboxyhaemoglobin as affinity of haemoglobin for carbon monoxide is 250 times greater than its affinity for oxygen. In this form, haemoglobin does not carry oxygen resulting in death too.
Hb + CO $ \rightarrow $ Hb CO
Haemoglobin → Carboxyhaemoglobin