CHS Oxygen Toxicity & Barotrauma Management

Question 1

Which organ system is primarily affected by CNS oxygen toxicity during hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Accepted Answer

Brain and central nervous system

Answer

Lungs and pulmonary vasculature

Answer

Eyes and optic nerves

Answer

Heart and coronary arteries

Question 2

Which symptom represents the 'V' in the VENTIDC mnemonic for early CNS oxygen toxicity warning signs?

Accepted Answer

Visual changes such as tunnel vision

Answer

Vomiting

Answer

Vertigo

Answer

Vasodilation

Question 3

Pulmonary (Lorrain Smith) oxygen toxicity is associated with prolonged exposure to a PO2 greater than:

Accepted Answer

0.5 ATA

Answer

1.0 ATA

Answer

2.0 ATA

Answer

0.21 ATA

Question 4

What is the recommended first action when a patient displays signs of CNS oxygen toxicity during HBO therapy?

Accepted Answer

Remove the oxygen mask and have the patient breathe chamber air

Answer

Increase chamber pressure to compress the seizure

Answer

Administer IV benzodiazepines immediately

Answer

Perform emergency rapid decompression

Question 5

Which physiological condition is a known predisposing factor that significantly increases the risk of CNS oxygen toxicity?

Accepted Answer

Hypercapnia (elevated CO2)

Answer

Mild controlled hypothyroidism

Answer

Mild normocytic anemia

Answer

Well-controlled type 2 diabetes

Question 6

Air breaks during HBO treatment are used primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Reduce cumulative oxygen toxicity risk by allowing tissue recovery

Answer

Allow technicians to inspect chamber equipment

Answer

Enable patient repositioning during long treatments

Answer

Recalibrate the chamber oxygen sensors

Question 7

The term 'squeeze' in hyperbaric medicine refers to barotrauma affecting:

Accepted Answer

Gas-filled body spaces that cannot equalize pressure during compression

Answer

Vascular compression during rapid ascent

Answer

Excessive cardiac output at depth

Answer

Nitrogen bubble formation in joints