Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Test Hyperbaric Physics Fundamentals

Question 1

What does Boyle's Law state and how does it apply to hyperbaric medicine?

Accepted Answer

At constant temperature, gas volume is inversely proportional to pressure — explains barotrauma and why air spaces compress under pressure

Answer

Gas pressure is directly proportional to temperature

Answer

Gases diffuse from low to high concentration

Answer

Gas solubility increases with temperature

Question 2

What does Henry's Law state and why is it important in HBO therapy?

Accepted Answer

Gas dissolved in a liquid is proportional to the partial pressure of that gas — explains how HBO increases dissolved oxygen in blood

Answer

Gases always rise to the surface of liquids

Answer

All gases dissolve equally in water

Answer

Gas temperature determines its solubility

Question 3

What is Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures?

Accepted Answer

The total pressure of a gas mixture equals the sum of the partial pressures of each component gas

Answer

Gases of different densities separate in a mixture

Answer

All gases exert equal pressure regardless of concentration

Answer

Gas pressure depends only on container size

Question 4

What is oxygen toxicity and what are its two forms?

Accepted Answer

Harmful effects from excessive oxygen: CNS toxicity (seizures) at high pressures and pulmonary toxicity from prolonged exposure

Answer

Lack of oxygen in the blood

Answer

Allergic reaction to oxygen masks

Answer

Dehydration caused by breathing dry oxygen

Question 5

How does gauge pressure differ from absolute pressure in hyperbaric medicine?

Accepted Answer

Gauge measures pressure above atmospheric; absolute includes atmospheric pressure (gauge + 1 ATA at sea level)

Answer

They are always equal

Answer

Absolute pressure is always lower than gauge

Answer

Gauge pressure is used only in metric systems

Question 6

What is the significance of 1.3 ATA in hyperbaric medicine?

Accepted Answer

It is the minimum pressure defined by UHMS for hyperbaric oxygen therapy — below this is not considered HBO

Answer

It is the maximum safe treatment pressure

Answer

It is the standard pressure for all treatments

Answer

It has no special significance