Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Practice Test

Which of the following is NOT affected by carbon monoxide poisoning?

1. Brain

2. Heart

3. Stomach

4. Lungs

The correct answer is: Stomach

Carbon monoxide poisoning primarily affects organs that rely heavily on oxygen, particularly the brain and heart. The brain, which requires a constant oxygen supply to function properly, is vulnerable to damage from carbon monoxide because it binds to hemoglobin more effectively than oxygen, reducing the amount of oxygen that can be delivered to the tissues. Similarly, the heart suffers as it is also dependent on adequate oxygen levels to maintain its function and can lead to increased risk for cardiac problems in instances of hypoxia caused by carbon monoxide exposure. The lungs are affected by the presence of carbon monoxide in terms of gas exchange, but they are not directly damaged by the poisoning in the same way as the brain and heart. The lungs' primary role is to facilitate the exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) but do not suffer cellular damage directly from carbon monoxide itself. In contrast, the stomach is not typically influenced by carbon monoxide poisoning, making it the option that is not significantly impacted. It does not rely on oxygen in the same way that other organs do for immediate critical function, which is why it is seen as unaffected in the context of carbon monoxide toxicity. This differentiation helps clarify why "C" is the correct choice in this context, as the stomach does not experience the same detrimental