Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Test CHT Patient Care and Safety in the Hyperbaric Environment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which item is strictly prohibited inside a monoplace hyperbaric chamber due to fire risk?
- 100% cotton hospital gown
- Petroleum-based lip balm (Correct answer)
- Grounded copper bracelet
- Cotton bed linens
Correct answer: Petroleum-based lip balm
Petroleum-based products are flammable and forbidden in the oxygen-enriched chamber environment.
Question 2: A patient reports a feeling of fullness and pain in the ears during compression. What is the most appropriate first action?
- Continue compression to finish quickly
- Stop or slow compression and coach equalization techniques (Correct answer)
- Immediately abort and decompress fully
- Increase compression rate to push past the discomfort
Correct answer: Stop or slow compression and coach equalization techniques
Halting or slowing compression and coaching maneuvers like swallowing or Valsalva allows middle ear equalization and prevents barotrauma.
Question 3: What is the primary reason patients are grounded inside a hyperbaric chamber?
- To improve oxygen absorption
- To prevent static electricity discharge that could ignite a fire (Correct answer)
- To stabilize blood pressure
- To reduce claustrophobia
Correct answer: To prevent static electricity discharge that could ignite a fire
Grounding dissipates static charges that could create a spark in the oxygen-rich environment.
Question 4: Which vital sign change during treatment would most strongly suggest oxygen toxicity onset?
- Gradual rise in blood pressure
- Twitching, visual changes, or seizure activity (Correct answer)
- Slow steady pulse
- Mild increase in respiratory rate
Correct answer: Twitching, visual changes, or seizure activity
CNS oxygen toxicity presents with muscle twitching, visual or auditory disturbances, and seizures.
Question 5: What humidity-related precaution helps reduce static fire risk in the chamber?
- Keeping relative humidity above a minimum threshold (Correct answer)
- Drying the air completely
- Adding alcohol-based sanitizer to surfaces
- Lowering chamber temperature near freezing
Correct answer: Keeping relative humidity above a minimum threshold
Maintaining adequate humidity reduces static electricity buildup and lowers ignition risk.
Question 6: A diabetic patient is scheduled for HBO therapy. What is a key pre-treatment safety check?
- Verify blood glucose level before and after treatment (Correct answer)
- Withhold all insulin for 24 hours
- Double the morning insulin dose
- Skip glucose monitoring entirely
Correct answer: Verify blood glucose level before and after treatment
HBO can lower blood glucose, so checking levels before and after prevents hypoglycemia during treatment.
Question 7: Which approved garment material is acceptable for a patient entering the chamber?
- Synthetic nylon athletic wear
- 100% cotton gown (Correct answer)
- Wool sweater
- Polyester blend pajamas
Correct answer: 100% cotton gown
Only 100% cotton garments are permitted because synthetics can generate static and are more flammable.
Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Test CHT Patient Care and Safety in the Hyperbaric Environment 2
Which item is strictly prohibited inside a monoplace hyperbaric chamber due to fire risk?