Carbon monoxide (CO) can misleadingly lead to high readings on pulse oximeters (devices that measure the oxygen saturation (SpO2) of the blood, because these devices are not able to distinguish between oxygen and carbon monoxide.
CO binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells with a much higher affinity than oxygen—approximately 200 to 250 times stronger.
This is because the oximeter measures the saturation of hemoglobin with what it assumes to be oxygen, not distinguishing between oxyhemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin.
Consequently, a person with carbon monoxide poisoning might have a falsely high SpO2 reading, masking the life-threatening reduction of available oxygen to the body's tissues.
Be great,
Evan, The Paramedic Coach
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