A quick question about the effect of carbon monoxide. I know it has a high affinity for heme so will reduce the number of hemoglobins available to transport oxygen. The quesetion was "the inspiration of carbon monixide gas will result in:" and the answer was "an unchanged arterial pO2." The solution said this was because pO2 depends on the dissolved O2, not bound to Hb, which I understand. But if there are less amount of Hb available for O2 transport, doesn't that also mean there is less O2 transported, so pO2 would be lowered?
Sometimes I wish the solutions were a little more thorough...
Thanks everyone for your help!
Sometimes I wish the solutions were a little more thorough...Thanks everyone for your help!
