Hyperbaric Chamber Operations & Safety Flashcards
7 cards from real CHT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Hyperbaric Chamber Operations & Safety flashcards as text
A CHT is preparing a multiplace chamber for a diabetic patient's HBO session. Which item is MOST critical to remove before patient entry?
Answer: Battery-powered insulin pump
Battery-powered electronic devices such as insulin pumps are contraindicated inside hyperbaric chambers due to fire, explosion, and device malfunction risks at elevated pressure.
What is the primary purpose of the 'air break' during a hyperbaric oxygen treatment?
Answer: To reduce the cumulative dose of oxygen and lower CNS oxygen toxicity risk
Air breaks interrupt continuous oxygen breathing, lowering the cumulative pO2 exposure and reducing the risk of CNS and pulmonary oxygen toxicity.
When calculating oxygen units (UPTD or OTU) for a treatment, what is the significance of exceeding the single-session limit?
Answer: It signals increased risk of pulmonary oxygen toxicity
Oxygen Tolerance Units (OTUs) quantify cumulative pulmonary oxygen exposure; exceeding established limits significantly increases the risk of pulmonary oxygen toxicity.
Which gas law explains why a patient's sinuses or tooth abscess may become painful during hyperbaric compression?
Answer: Boyle's Law — gas volume decreases as pressure increases on trapped gas spaces
Boyle's Law describes the inverse relationship between pressure and gas volume; trapped gas in sinuses, teeth, or middle ears compresses during descent, causing pain.
A hyperbaric facility loses main electrical power during a treatment at 45 fsw. What is the immediate priority?
Answer: Activate backup/emergency power and verify life support systems are operational
Activating backup power ensures continued operation of life support, communication, and monitoring systems before any patient movement decision is made.
What is the role of a 'standby diver' or inside attendant in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber?
Answer: To provide direct patient care and emergency response inside the pressurized environment
The inside attendant (inside tender) is a trained CHT or equivalent who accompanies patients inside the chamber to provide clinical support and manage emergencies at pressure.
Which condition is an ABSOLUTE contraindication to hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Answer: Untreated pneumothorax
An untreated pneumothorax is an absolute contraindication because compression will cause the trapped pleural air to shrink, and decompression risks tension pneumothorax.