A 40 year old mine worker is brought to the emergency room with a suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. What will be expected in the blood ABG?: (A) PO2 normal, O2 saturation less with slightly decreased PCO2, (B) PO2 less, O2 saturation normal, (C) PO2 high, O2 saturation normal, (D) PO2 less, O 2 saturation decreased
Answer is A. CO2 has 210 times more affinity to Hb than O2 so O2 saturation is less. PO2 is normal since dissolved O2 is normal.