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

CNS oxygen toxicity primarily affects the brain, producing seizures as the most dangerous acute manifestation during HBO therapy.

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

Visual changes, particularly tunnel vision or narrowing of the visual field, are a classic early warning sign of CNS oxygen toxicity represented by 'V' in VENTIDC.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

0.5 ATA

Answer

Pulmonary oxygen toxicity occurs with prolonged exposure to PO2 greater than 0.5 ATA, causing tracheobronchitis and alveolar damage over time.

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

Removing the oxygen mask so the patient breathes chamber air (21% O2) is the first intervention to reduce brain oxygen delivery and interrupt the toxicity.

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

Hypercapnia causes cerebral vasodilation, increasing cerebral blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain, which lowers the seizure threshold for CNS oxygen toxicity.

(CHS) Certified Hyperbaric Specialist Practice Test

(CHS) Certified Hyperbaric Specialist Practice Test

CHS Oxygen Toxicity & Barotrauma Management