Carbon monoxide has a higher affinity for hemoglobin than oxygen, leaving fewer oxygen binding sites available on hemoglobin. A person who has inhaled carbon monoxide would be expected to have a decreased arterial oxygen content measured, as the carbon monoxide occupies space on hemoglobin that would normally be filled with oxygen.

1. Q10. A person has inhaled carbon monoxide CO poisoning. CO has an extremely high affinity
for hemoglobin (much higher than that of oxygen for hemoglobin) leaving a lower fraction of
oxygen binding sites on Hgb available to be occupied by oxygen. What would you expect to find
if you measure the arterial oxygen content of a person with CO poisoning? a) Normal oxygen
content b) Decreased oxygen content c) Increased oxygen content