CHT Patient Assessment & Clinical Evaluation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy for carbon monoxide poisoning suddenly becomes agitated and confused inside the chamber. The FIRST priority is to:
- Increase the oxygen flow rate
- Initiate emergency decompression and remove the patient (Correct answer)
- Administer a sedative through the pass-through port
- Reduce chamber pressure to 1.5 ATA and monitor
Correct answer: Initiate emergency decompression and remove the patient
Neurological deterioration may signal oxygen toxicity or worsening CO toxicity requiring immediate controlled decompression and patient removal for evaluation.
Question 2: When performing a neurological baseline assessment before HBO treatment for arterial gas embolism, the technician should document which of the following?
- Pupil size and reactivity, motor strength, and level of consciousness (Correct answer)
- Heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation only
- Pain scale rating and skin color
- Capillary refill time and skin temperature
Correct answer: Pupil size and reactivity, motor strength, and level of consciousness
A thorough neurological baseline including pupils, motor function, and consciousness level allows tracking of treatment response in AGE patients.
Question 3: A patient with an implanted pacemaker presents for HBO therapy. The technician should FIRST:
- Refuse treatment as pacemakers are an absolute contraindication
- Verify that the pacemaker model is rated as pressure-stable and consult cardiology (Correct answer)
- Place the patient in a multiplace chamber only
- Increase chamber pressure slowly to avoid pacemaker interference
Correct answer: Verify that the pacemaker model is rated as pressure-stable and consult cardiology
Most modern pacemakers are pressure-stable, but specific model verification and cardiologist clearance are required before HBO treatment.
Question 4: During patient assessment, you note a Braden Scale score of 12. This indicates the patient is at:
- Low risk for pressure ulcer development
- Moderate risk for pressure ulcer development
- High risk for pressure ulcer development (Correct answer)
- No risk for pressure ulcer development
Correct answer: High risk for pressure ulcer development
A Braden Scale score of 12 falls in the high-risk range (≤12), indicating significant susceptibility to pressure injuries relevant to wound care patients.
Question 5: A patient reports a recent upper respiratory infection with nasal congestion prior to their scheduled HBO session. The technician should be MOST concerned about:
- Increased risk of oxygen toxicity seizure
- Inability to equalize middle ear and sinus pressure during compression (Correct answer)
- Higher likelihood of claustrophobia
- Elevated blood glucose during treatment
Correct answer: Inability to equalize middle ear and sinus pressure during compression
Nasal congestion impairs Eustachian tube function, making it difficult or impossible to equalize middle ear pressure, increasing barotrauma risk.
Question 6: Which of the following medications taken by a patient MOST increases the risk of oxygen-induced seizure during HBO therapy?
- Metformin
- Disulfiram (Antabuse) (Correct answer)
- Atorvastatin
- Omeprazole
Correct answer: Disulfiram (Antabuse)
Disulfiram lowers the seizure threshold and significantly increases the risk of central nervous system oxygen toxicity during HBO treatment.
Question 7: When assessing a diabetic patient post-HBO treatment, a blood glucose reading of 58 mg/dL is obtained. The MOST appropriate immediate action is:
- Recheck glucose in 30 minutes
- Administer oral or IV glucose immediately (Correct answer)
- Give insulin to stabilize glucose
- Document finding and discharge the patient
Correct answer: Administer oral or IV glucose immediately
A glucose level of 58 mg/dL indicates hypoglycemia requiring immediate glucose administration to prevent neurological complications.
CHT Patient Assessment & Clinical Evaluation 3
A patient undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy for carbon monoxide poisoning suddenly becomes agitated and confused inside the chamber.
The FIRST priority is to: