An 8-year-old hypotensive male patient has been brought in by paramedics to the emergency room following a house fire. He was found unconscious in the garage where smoke was prevalent. Which of the following is a definitive measure to assess carbon monoxide poisoning?
A. Methemoglobin level
B. Arterial blood gas
C. Carboxyhemoglobin level
D. Rapid measurement with a multiple wavelength spectrophotometer
Answer: C. The clinical background strongly suggests smoke inhalation, which would result in carbon monoxide poisoning. The most definitive way to assess for this condition is by measuring the carboxyhemoglobin level in the blood. One might be tempted to select rapid measurement with a spectrophotometer, but the keyword "definitive" in the question indicates that a diagnostic procedure should be utilized.
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