American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

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At what percentage of carbon monoxide in the blood is it considered fatal for children?

10-15%
20-30%
30-40%
50-60%

The correct answer is: 20-30%

In children, a carbon monoxide (CO) level in the blood of 20-30% is critical and often considered potentially fatal. Carbon monoxide interferes with the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, leading to hypoxia. Children are generally more vulnerable to the effects of CO poisoning due to their smaller body size and higher metabolism compared to adults, which means they may exhibit severe symptoms at lower concentrations. At the 20-30% range, symptoms can escalate quickly, leading to neurological impairments, loss of consciousness, or even death if not treated promptly. The risk increases with higher levels of CO, but the 20-30% range is a significant threshold that can lead to life-threatening situations, particularly in young children. In contrast, levels below this range may not be immediately fatal, although they can still lead to symptoms like headache, dizziness, or nausea. The higher ranges of 30-40% and beyond are increasingly serious and likely to be fatal without immediate intervention, but the critical threshold for children is specifically noted around the 20-30% mark.