Free BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Practice Question

Heating systems, including furnaces, boilers, and water heaters, are common sources of carbon monoxide in homes. Inadequate ventilation or malfunction of these heating systems can lead to carbon monoxide build-up, which is odorless and colorless, making it a silent killer. Vehicles left running in enclosed spaces are also a significant source, but domestic heating systems are generally considered the primary culprits in accidental exposures in the home environment. Barbecues and portable heaters are typically used intermittently and are less likely to cause unintentional chronic exposures when used with proper precautions.