BCEN CEN Practice Question

Carbon monoxide binds with hemoglobin more effectively than oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin, which leads to its primary toxic effect—reduced oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. This prevents oxygen from reaching the body's tissues, leading to tissue hypoxia and subsequent cellular injury, potentially resulting in death if not promptly addressed. Other answer choices, such as 'disrupting cellular respiration by inhibiting cytochrome oxidase' or 'directly damaging lung tissue,' are related to other toxic agents or injury mechanisms, but not specifically to the systemic effects of carbon monoxide.