A client rescued from a house fire has headache and confusion. Pulse oximetry reads 98%, but the client appears ill. What is the priority intervention?

Question

Accepted Answer

C. Administer 100% oxygen via nonrebreather mask — Pulse oximetry can be falsely normal in carbon monoxide poisoning because it cannot reliably distinguish carboxyhemoglobin. Priority treatment is high-concentration oxygen to displace CO from hemoglobin.

Answer

A. Place the client on 2 L/min nasal cannula

Answer

B. Obtain a sputum culture before treatment

Answer

D. Give naloxone IV