Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Test Hyperbaric Chamber Operations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is an absolute contraindication to hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
- Untreated pneumothorax (Correct answer)
- Diabetic foot ulcer
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Chronic osteomyelitis
Correct answer: Untreated pneumothorax
An untreated (tension) pneumothorax can expand dangerously with pressure changes and must be resolved first.
Question 2: What is the purpose of an 'air break' during a hyperbaric treatment?
- To reduce the risk of oxygen toxicity (Correct answer)
- To rest the technologist
- To cool the chamber
- To recompress the patient
Correct answer: To reduce the risk of oxygen toxicity
Periodic breathing of air lowers cumulative oxygen exposure, reducing CNS oxygen toxicity risk.
Question 3: Early signs of central nervous system oxygen toxicity may include:
- Twitching, visual changes, or nausea (Correct answer)
- Improved vision
- Lowered heart rate only
- Increased appetite
Correct answer: Twitching, visual changes, or nausea
CNS oxygen toxicity can present with facial twitching, tunnel vision, nausea, and may progress to seizures.
Question 4: If a patient begins seizing inside the chamber on oxygen, the immediate action is to:
- Switch the patient to breathing air and maintain depth until tonic-clonic activity stops (Correct answer)
- Immediately and rapidly decompress
- Increase oxygen flow
- Pressurize deeper
Correct answer: Switch the patient to breathing air and maintain depth until tonic-clonic activity stops
Removing the oxygen source by switching to air stops the toxicity, and rapid ascent during a seizure risks pulmonary barotrauma.
Question 5: Why are patients with claustrophobia a special consideration in monoplace chambers?
- The enclosed acrylic tube can trigger anxiety requiring reassurance or sedation (Correct answer)
- They cannot equalize their ears
- Oxygen does not work for them
- They must use heliox
Correct answer: The enclosed acrylic tube can trigger anxiety requiring reassurance or sedation
The confined transparent chamber can provoke anxiety, managed with communication, distraction, or mild sedation.
Question 6: Which device is prohibited inside the chamber due to ignition risk?
- Battery-powered or spark-producing electronics (Correct answer)
- A cotton blanket
- A water-based pillow
- A grounding strap
Correct answer: Battery-powered or spark-producing electronics
Batteries and electronics can spark, posing a fire hazard in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere.
Question 7: A patient on insulin should have their blood glucose checked before treatment because hyperbaric oxygen can:
- Lower blood glucose levels (Correct answer)
- Raise blood pressure permanently
- Cause immediate seizures
- Increase appetite
Correct answer: Lower blood glucose levels
HBO therapy can have a glucose-lowering effect, so diabetic patients are screened to avoid hypoglycemia during treatment.
Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Test Hyperbaric Chamber Operations 3
Which of the following is an absolute contraindication to hyperbaric oxygen therapy?