Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Test Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Test facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. At sea level, the ambient pressure is equal to: → 1 ATA
2. Which condition is considered an absolute contraindication to hyperbaric oxygen therapy? → Untreated pneumothorax
3. What is the role of the hyperbaric technician during pressurization? → Monitors chamber pressure and patient safety
4. What does Henry's law describe in the context of hyperbaric therapy? → Increased gas dissolving into plasma at higher pressure
5. Which assessment best predicts whether a wound is likely to respond to HBO2 therapy? → Transcutaneous oximetry (TcPO2) measurements
6. When a patient must wear a hospital gown inside a monoplace hyperbaric chamber, the gown should be: → 100% cotton without any synthetic fabric or dyes
7. What instrument is used to continuously monitor oxygen percentage inside a multiplace chamber? → An oxygen analyzer
8. Per NFPA 55, bulk oxygen storage cylinders must be kept a minimum of how far from combustible materials? → 20 feet
9. Before a treatment, why must the technologist verify there are no petroleum-based products on the patient? → They are flammable in an oxygen-enriched environment
10. A monoplace hyperbaric chamber primarily uses which gas for pressurization? → 100% oxygen
11. A fire is the most catastrophic hyperbaric emergency primarily because the chamber atmosphere has an elevated: → Partial pressure of oxygen
12. The primary accreditation body for clinical hyperbaric medicine programs in the United States is: → Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS)
13. Sinus squeeze (sinus barotrauma) is best prevented by: → Ensuring the patient is free of upper respiratory congestion before treatment
14. After completion of hot work near hyperbaric oxygen systems, a fire watch must be maintained for a minimum of: → 30 minutes
15. Henry's law is the principle behind which therapeutic effect of HBO? → Increased oxygen dissolved directly into the blood plasma
16. Which mechanism explains the reduction of gas embolism risk with HBOT? → Boyle’s Law compression of gas bubbles
17. What is the technologist's first priority if the chamber communication system fails during treatment? → Maintain visual contact and use established hand signals while restoring comms
18. In radiation-injured tissue, HBO promotes healing by: → Stimulating stem cell mobilization and angiogenesis in hypoxic tissue
19. Using absolute temperature, a 5 L gas at 300 K is warmed to 600 K at constant pressure. What is the new volume? → 10 L
20. Which gas law supports the need to monitor partial pressures of oxygen during therapy? → Dalton’s Law
21. Why must compression and decompression rates be controlled rather than rapid? → To allow pressure equalization and prevent barotrauma
22. Why are air breaks often incorporated into longer wound-treatment dives? → To reduce the risk of oxygen toxicity while maintaining therapy
23. A patient on the deck of a multiplace chamber suffers cardiac arrest at treatment depth. The inside attendant should: → Begin CPR immediately while the team coordinates decompression
24. During a hyperbaric treatment the chamber loses external power. The technologist should be prepared to: → Switch to backup/manual control and continue a controlled treatment or decompression
25. Compromised skin grafts and flaps are treated with HBO mainly to: → Enhance oxygen delivery to ischemic tissue and improve graft survival
26. A patient vomits while wearing an oxygen hood inside the chamber. The immediate concern is: → Airway obstruction and aspiration risk
27. Nitrogen narcosis is NOT a concern in HBO therapy primarily because: → Patients breathe 100% oxygen, eliminating nitrogen narcosis risk
28. What happens to gas volume when a patient ascends rapidly from depth? → Volume increases
29. Which statement about HBO and anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin) is correct? → HBO may enhance anticoagulant effects, requiring INR monitoring
30. Visual changes (myopia) experienced by patients after multiple HBO treatments are: → Usually reversible within weeks to months after completing therapy