Which of the following is a cause of hypoxia?

Hypoxia refers to a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a significant cause of hypoxia because carbon monoxide (CO) has a much higher affinity for hemoglobin than oxygen does. When CO is inhaled, it binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells, effectively reducing the capacity of the blood to transport oxygen. This results in the body’s tissues being starved of oxygen, leading to hypoxic conditions.

Understanding the mechanisms of hypoxia is crucial, particularly in contexts like emergency medical care or environmental health, where exposure to carbon monoxide can commonly occur through faulty heating systems or vehicle exhaust in enclosed spaces.