CHS Hyperbaric Medicine Principles & Physiology 3

Question 1

Which cell type is most responsible for the angiogenic response stimulated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy in wound healing?

Accepted Answer

Endothelial cells

Answer

HBO2 upregulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in endothelial cells, driving neovascularization in hypoxic wound tissue.

Question 2

Boyle's Law is most directly applied when calculating the risk of which hyperbaric injury?

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary barotrauma during ascent

Answer

Boyle's Law (P1V1 = P2V2) explains gas expansion during ascent; if a diver breath-holds, expanding lung gas can cause pulmonary barotrauma.

Question 3

What is the primary reason hyperbaric oxygen is effective in carbon monoxide poisoning beyond simply displacing CO from hemoglobin?

Accepted Answer

It accelerates CO dissociation from intracellular myoglobin and cytochrome oxidase

Answer

HBO2 accelerates CO dissociation from mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase and myoglobin, restoring cellular respiration beyond what normobaric oxygen achieves.

Question 4

During a hyperbaric treatment at 2.4 ATA breathing 100% O2, what approximate dissolved oxygen (mL O2/dL blood) is present in plasma alone?

Accepted Answer

6.0 mL/dL

Answer

At 2.4 ATA with 100% O2, PO2 ≈ 1,800 mmHg; using the solubility coefficient (~0.003 mL/dL/mmHg), dissolved O2 ≈ 5.4–6.0 mL/dL, sufficient to meet resting tissue needs.

Question 5

Which decompression sickness symptom pattern is classified as Type II (serious) DCS?

Accepted Answer

Spinal cord or cerebral deficits

Answer

Type II DCS involves serious manifestations including neurological symptoms such as spinal cord or cerebral involvement, versus Type I which involves musculoskeletal or skin symptoms only.

(CHS) Certified Hyperbaric Specialist Practice Test

(CHS) Certified Hyperbaric Specialist Practice Test

CHS Hyperbaric Medicine Principles & Physiology 3