Which of the following treatments may be necessary for severe carbon monoxide poisoning?

In cases of severe carbon monoxide poisoning, administering 100% oxygen through a mask is a key treatment modality. Carbon monoxide (CO) binds with hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin, which reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen. By providing 100% oxygen, the partial pressure of oxygen in the lungs increases, facilitating the displacement of carbon monoxide from hemoglobin and improving tissue oxygenation.

This treatment can significantly shorten the half-life of carboxyhemoglobin, leading to quicker elimination of carbon monoxide from the bloodstream. Additionally, in certain severe cases, hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be employed to further increase oxygen availability, but the primary immediate treatment remains high-flow oxygen administration.

While other treatments like antidotes or IV fluid replacement may be relevant in various medical emergencies, they are not specific for carbon monoxide poisoning. Physical therapy is also not a standard treatment for this condition but may be useful later in recovery for rehabilitation purposes. Understanding the primary management goal—rapidly restoring oxygen delivery to tissues—is crucial in recognizing why administering 100% oxygen is the definitive immediate treatment for severe carbon monoxide poisoning.