Carbon Monoxide, Blood

Use: Determine the extent of carbon monoxide poisoning, and toxicity; check on the effect of smoking on the patient; work up headache, irritability, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, dyspnea, collapse, coma, convulsions; work up persons exposed to fires and smoke inhalation

Limitations: Carbon monoxide levels are of limited value in testing for smoking, since it is cleared rapidly. The half-life of carboxyhemoglobin in individuals with normal cardiopulmonary function is one to two hours. Urinary cotinine, if available, is preferable as a test for tobacco use. Arterial blood gases may be of limited value in treatment decisions for carbon monoxide poisoning.

Methodology: Co-oximetry