Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Practice Test

Carbon monoxide is a by-product of which process?

1. Complete combustion

2. Inadequate ventilation

3. Increased oxygen usage

4. Incomplete combustion

The correct answer is: Incomplete combustion

Carbon monoxide is a by-product of incomplete combustion, which occurs when there isn't enough oxygen available for the fuel to burn completely. During this process, not all carbon atoms in the fuel are converted into carbon dioxide; instead, some are converted into carbon monoxide. This gas is harmful because it binds to hemoglobin in the blood more effectively than oxygen, preventing the proper transport of oxygen to vital organs and tissues. In contrast, complete combustion occurs when there is a sufficient supply of oxygen, leading to the production of carbon dioxide and water without generating carbon monoxide. Inadequate ventilation contributes to conditions that can cause incomplete combustion, but it is not the primary process that produces carbon monoxide. Increased oxygen usage does not directly relate to the formation of carbon monoxide, as it typically would support more efficient combustion when sufficient oxygen is present. Thus, incomplete combustion stands out as the process specifically responsible for generating carbon monoxide.