Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Test Hyperbaric Emergency Medicine 3

Question 1

A patient with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning is treated with HBO primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Accelerate elimination of CO and reduce reperfusion injury

Answer

HBO drastically shortens the half-life of carboxyhemoglobin and limits neurologic injury.

Question 2

A claustrophobic patient panics during compression and demands to exit. The best initial technologist response is to:

Accepted Answer

Stop or slow compression, communicate calmly, and reassure the patient

Answer

Pausing compression and providing calm reassurance often resolves anxiety without aborting treatment.

Question 3

Pneumothorax developing during decompression is dangerous because the trapped gas will:

Accepted Answer

Expand as ambient pressure decreases, risking tension pneumothorax

Answer

Per Boyle's law, gas expands as pressure falls, which can produce a life-threatening tension pneumothorax.

Question 4

Why is an untreated pneumothorax generally considered a contraindication to hyperbaric treatment?

Accepted Answer

Gas in the pleural space expands on decompression and may collapse the lung

Answer

Expanding pleural gas during decompression can cause tension pneumothorax and cardiovascular collapse.

Question 5

During treatment a patient complains of severe ear pain during compression. The technologist should:

Accepted Answer

Halt or slow compression and coach equalization (Valsalva/swallowing)

Answer

Pausing compression and coaching middle-ear equalization prevents barotrauma to the tympanic membrane.

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