CHT Treatment Protocols & Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient on insulin develops diaphoresis and confusion 45 minutes into a hyperbaric oxygen treatment. The most appropriate first response is:
- Abort treatment and ascend immediately
- Administer oral glucose and continue treatment if possible (Correct answer)
- Perform a CNS oxygen toxicity protocol
- Increase oxygen flow rate to the mask
Correct answer: Administer oral glucose and continue treatment if possible
Hypoglycemia symptoms during HBO should be treated with oral glucose; if the patient recovers, treatment may continue, but ascent is warranted if symptoms worsen.
Question 2: According to UHMS guidelines, what is the minimum number of treatments typically prescribed for a non-healing diabetic foot wound (Wagner Grade 3)?
- 10 treatments
- 20 treatments
- 30–40 treatments (Correct answer)
- 60 treatments
Correct answer: 30–40 treatments
UHMS guidelines recommend 30–40 treatments for chronic, non-healing diabetic wounds to achieve meaningful wound closure.
Question 3: During monoplace chamber operation, chamber pressure is increased to 3.0 ATA too rapidly. The patient complains of severe ear pain. The correct action is:
- Continue compression and reassure the patient
- Halt compression, decompress slightly, and allow the patient to equalize (Correct answer)
- Abort the dive and fully decompress immediately
- Administer decongestant spray and resume compression
Correct answer: Halt compression, decompress slightly, and allow the patient to equalize
Stopping compression and slightly reducing pressure gives the patient time to equalize the middle ear before proceeding.
Question 4: Which treatment table is specifically designed for managing oxygen-breathing divers who surface with decompression sickness symptoms?
- Table 5 (Correct answer)
- Table 6
- Table 7
- Table 8
Correct answer: Table 5
Table 5 is the shorter U.S. Navy treatment table used for mild DCS in oxygen-breathing divers when symptoms fully resolve at 60 fsw.
Question 5: Fire prevention protocols in hyperbaric facilities require that oxygen concentration inside a multiplace chamber be maintained below:
- 18%
- 21%
- 23.5% (Correct answer)
- 25%
Correct answer: 23.5%
NFPA 99 and UHMS standards require ambient oxygen levels inside the chamber to stay below 23.5% to reduce fire risk.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the rationale for prescribing hyperbaric oxygen for delayed radiation injury (osteoradionecrosis)?
- HBO directly kills residual cancer cells in the irradiated field
- HBO promotes angiogenesis and restores oxygen gradients in hypoxic tissue (Correct answer)
- HBO reduces scar tissue by dissolving collagen cross-links
- HBO prevents infection by sterilizing the wound environment
Correct answer: HBO promotes angiogenesis and restores oxygen gradients in hypoxic tissue
HBO stimulates angiogenesis and fibroblast activity in hypoxic irradiated tissue, restoring the oxygen gradients necessary for healing.
Question 7: A patient with a history of seizures is scheduled for HBO therapy. Which pretreatment precaution is most important?
- Administer prophylactic anticonvulsants before every session
- Ensure antiepileptic medication levels are therapeutic and monitor closely (Correct answer)
- Restrict the patient to Table 5 pressure only
- Require the patient to breathe air instead of 100% oxygen
Correct answer: Ensure antiepileptic medication levels are therapeutic and monitor closely
Ensuring therapeutic antiepileptic drug levels before HBO reduces the risk of oxygen-triggered seizures in patients with seizure disorders.
CHT Treatment Protocols & Procedures 3
A patient on insulin develops diaphoresis and confusion 45 minutes into a hyperbaric oxygen treatment.
The most appropriate first response is: