Which of the following poisonings causes the blood to become cherry red?
Cyanide
H2S
Potassium per chlorate
Nitrite
Cyanide stops respiration at mitochondrial level so the O2 in the blood is not used and hence a high saturation of O2 in the blood gives it the bright red color. H2S changes the red blood pigment; blood turns brown to olive in color. In potassium per chlorate poisoning, the blood is of a chocolate color. Nitrite poisoning causes methemoglobinemia and anemic anoxia. Signs are dyspnea and coffee color of mucosae and blood.