Carbon monoxide or cyanide exposure
NCLEX-RN glossary · Physiological Adaptation
Definition
Toxic inhalational injuries that impede oxygen transport or use at the cellular level despite normal ambient oxygen levels.
Carbon monoxide or cyanide exposure in plain English
This is a critical emergency priority requiring the RN to initiate high-flow oxygen and maintain airway surveillance immediately. A frequent error is relying on standard pulse oximetry readings, which falsely report high saturation because the device cannot distinguish toxic molecules from oxygen.
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