Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Test Hyperbaric Emergency Medicine

Question 1

What is the primary treatment protocol for acute carbon monoxide poisoning using HBO?

Accepted Answer

3.0 ATA for 60-90 minutes, initiated as soon as possible after exposure

Answer

Acute CO poisoning treatment typically uses 3.0 ATA for a 60-90 minute oxygen breathing period, ideally initiated within 6 hours of exposure, with additional treatments based on symptom severity and COHb levels.

Question 2

How does HBO therapy treat decompression sickness (the bends)?

Accepted Answer

By reducing bubble size through increased pressure and promoting inert gas elimination through oxygen breathing

Answer

HBO treats DCS by recompression (Boyle's law reduces bubble volume), followed by gradual decompression while breathing 100% oxygen to create a gradient that promotes nitrogen elimination from tissues and bubbles.

Question 3

What US Navy Treatment Table is most commonly used for decompression sickness?

Accepted Answer

US Navy Treatment Table 6

Answer

US Navy Treatment Table 6 is the most commonly used protocol for treating decompression sickness, starting at 2.8 ATA (60 fsw) with oxygen breathing periods, total treatment time approximately 4 hours 45 minutes.

Question 4

What are the symptoms of acute arterial gas embolism (AGE)?

Accepted Answer

Sudden neurological symptoms (stroke-like), loss of consciousness, or cardiac arrest within minutes of surfacing

Answer

AGE presents with sudden, dramatic neurological symptoms (seizures, paralysis, visual disturbances, confusion, loss of consciousness) typically within minutes of surfacing from a dive, caused by gas bubbles entering the arterial circulation.

Question 5

What is the role of HBO in treating gas gangrene (clostridial myonecrosis)?

Accepted Answer

HBO inhibits toxin production, kills anaerobic bacteria through oxygen toxicity, and enhances antibiotic effectiveness

Answer

HBO therapy in gas gangrene inhibits alpha-toxin production, is directly bactericidal to Clostridium perfringens (an obligate anaerobe), enhances WBC function, and supports antibiotic therapy, used as an adjunct to surgery.

Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Test Practice Test

Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Test Practice Test

Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Test Hyperbaric Emergency Medicine