What is the diagnostic method for carbon monoxide poisoning?

The diagnostic method for carbon monoxide poisoning is plasma carboxyhemoglobin measurement. This test specifically measures the concentration of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood – a complex formed when carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin. This binding significantly impairs the blood’s ability to transport oxygen, leading to tissue hypoxia and various symptoms associated with carbon monoxide poisoning, such as headache, confusion, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness or death.

Other diagnostic methods listed serve different purposes. Pulmonary function tests assess the overall functioning of the lungs but do not provide specific information about carbon monoxide levels. A chest X-ray can reveal any associated pulmonary complications but is not a definitive test for carbon monoxide poisoning. Arterial blood gas analysis provides information about oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood but does not specifically quantify carboxyhemoglobin levels, which is crucial for diagnosing carbon monoxide exposure.