Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and Pregnancy: Critical Nursing Interventions

• Annually approximately 20,000 ED visits are related to carbon monoxide, poisoning with an estimated 4.6% to 8.5% of these patients being pregnant.
• Signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be vague and difficult to diagnose.
• A single hypoxic episode related to carbon monoxide poisoning can have serious detrimental effects on the fetus.
• ED nurses can help to identify carbon monoxide poisoning with a thorough environmental assessment and provide critical interventions to suspected patients with carbon monoxide poisoning.