Question

A man presents to the ER with an elevated

temperature, sweats, and increased rate of
breathing. He had been spraying insecticide
and accidentally inhaled some of the poison.
Using the insecticide on cultured cells, it was
demonstrated that the rate of oxygen consumption
by the cells was much greater than in the
absence of the compound. This drug is acting
most like which one of the following?
(A) Dintrophenol
(B) Cyanide
(C) Carbon monoxide
(D) Rotenone
(E) Atractyloside

Answer 1

The man inhaled an insecticide that is most likely acting like cyanide, which inhibits cytochrome c oxidase and interferes with aerobic metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The man in this scenario accidentally inhaled insecticide, which resulted in an elevated temperature, sweats, and increased rate of breathing. Based on the information provided, the insecticide is most likely acting like cyanide. Cyanide is a potent inhibitor of cytochrome c oxidase (COX), which is part of the electron transport chain. Inhibiting COX interferes with aerobic metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation, which can lead to histotoxic hypoxia.