Hyperbaric Medicine Fundamentals 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 Medicine Fundamentals flashcards as text
Which law states that the solubility of a gas in a liquid is proportional to the partial pressure of that gas above the liquid?
Answer: Henry's Law
Henry's Law directly governs how increased pressure in an HBO chamber forces more oxygen into plasma and tissue fluids.
What is the primary reason 100% oxygen is used instead of compressed air in most hyperbaric treatments?
Answer: Oxygen maximizes tissue oxygen tension and speeds elimination of inert gas
Breathing 100% oxygen at pressure dramatically raises tissue PO2 and accelerates washout of inert gases like nitrogen.
During a hyperbaric treatment at 2.4 ATA, what is the approximate partial pressure of oxygen when the patient breathes 100% O2?
Answer: 2.4 ATA
Partial pressure of a pure gas equals the total pressure; at 2.4 ATA breathing 100% O2, PO2 = 2.4 ATA.
Which of the following best describes the mechanism by which HBO reduces intracranial pressure in carbon monoxide poisoning?
Answer: HBO-induced vasoconstriction reduces cerebral edema
High PO2 causes cerebral vasoconstriction, reducing edema and ICP while still delivering adequate O2 via dissolved plasma oxygen.
A patient with decompression sickness develops worsening symptoms during ascent from an HBO treatment. What is the most appropriate immediate action?
Answer: Return to treatment depth and reassess
Worsening on ascent (omitted decompression response) requires returning to treatment depth per the applicable US Navy Treatment Table.
Which tissue has the highest risk of oxygen toxicity seizure during routine hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Answer: Central nervous system
CNS oxygen toxicity (Paul Bert effect) manifests as seizures and is the primary concern during high-pressure HBO treatments.
What physiological effect of HBO directly promotes angiogenesis in hypoxic wound beds?
Answer: Cyclic hyperoxia–normoxia stimulating VEGF release
Alternating high and normal O2 tensions between HBO sessions stimulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and new capillary formation.