Final answer:
To treat carbon monoxide poisoning effectively, 100 percent oxygen is administered at a high flow rate to displace carbon monoxide from hemoglobin, as carbon dioxide is not effective for this purpose. The treatment relies on the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve and aims for maximum saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen.
Step-by-step explanation:
The administration of 100 percent oxygen is critical in treating a patient with carbon monoxide poisoning because it significantly increases the amount of oxygen in the blood, displacing carbon monoxide from hemoglobin molecules. Giving carbon dioxide would not work because it does not compete with carbon monoxide for binding to hemoglobin and does not aid in delivering the necessary oxygen to body tissues.
Oxygen therapy at 100% typically requires a high flow rate, which may vary based on the delivery method, such as a non-rebreather mask or a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. The details of the flow rate depend on the specific equipment used, but the goal is always to maximize the oxygen concentration to effectively treat carbon monoxide poisoning.
The effectiveness of oxygen therapy in this situation can be understood by examining the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve, which shows how oxygen saturation of hemoglobin increases with higher partial pressures of oxygen. At a partial pressure of about 60 mmHg, the curve levels off, indicating that hemoglobin is almost fully saturated. However, by using 100 percent oxygen, you can help ensure that any hemoglobin molecules that have not been bound by carbon monoxide will indeed be bound by oxygen.