What organ is a source of red blood cells and can replace carbon monoxide testing when blood samples are not available?

The spleen serves various functions in the body, one of which is to store and recycle red blood cells. When assessing carbon monoxide exposure, the measurement of carboxyhemoglobin levels in the blood is essential. However, in situations where blood samples cannot be obtained, the spleen can provide valuable insight through its stored red blood cells. The spleen's capacity to harbor and manage these cells means that it can serve as a proxy for evaluating red blood cell levels and the potential effects of carbon monoxide, as it plays a crucial role in the body’s hematological processes.

This ability to utilize spleen-derived information makes it particularly important in forensic and clinical settings when quick assessments regarding carbon monoxide exposure are necessary, especially in trauma cases or when immediate blood sampling is challenging. In contrast, the other organs listed do not directly have the equivalent role in managing red blood cell levels or in the assessment for carbon monoxide testing in this context.